Hospital’s cancer care wins quality award

A PURPOSE-built cancer-care facility at the Royal Oldham Hospital has won a major award from charity Macmillan.

The Macmillan quality environment mark was presented to staff on ward F11, the clinical haematology unit, in recognition of high standards in cancer services and building design. The unit cares for 7,000 day-case and 500 in-patient leukaemia, lymphoma and other tumour and blood disorder cases a year.

The ward opened in 2010 and is one of the largest haematology units in the region with 22 beds and 11 side rooms, as well as a dedicated day-case unit.

The award, launched in 2010 by Macmillan Cancer Support, is the first in the UK that assesses how well buildings provide support and care to people affected by cancer.

Teresa Karran, Macmillan development manager for Cheshire and Greater Manchester, said: “This is a marvellous achievement. Patients can feel confident they are being cared for in one of the highest quality cancer facilities in their area.”

Elizabeth Fitton, the ward’s matron, said: “I’m absolutely delighted and proud of the team’s achievement.”