A pilot scheme for a new out-of-hours helpline for outpatients receiving chemotherapy treatment at Bath’s Royal United Hospital has been hailed a success.
Now the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group (BCUSG), which funded the pilot, is seeking donations so it can raise more money to continue providing this essential service along with other vital projects for cancer patients at the RUH.
BCUSG is aiming to raise just under £370,000 in total for three projects – the out-of-hours helpline, new equipment to target radiotherapy more accurately and an upgrade of a solid-state gamma camera to provide better images for cancer diagnosis.
The 24-hour oncology helpline was launched to support the growing number of cancer outpatients being treated at the RUH.
Over the past five years the hospital’s cancer therapy workload has soared by 84% as a result of new therapies, patients being diagnosed earlier and living longer.
A team of specially trained support staff now handle all out-of-hours calls and provide outpatients with round-the-clock advice on how to manage their symptoms.
RUH oncology department matron and cancer lead nurse Caroline Gilleece said: “In recent years the nursing team have managed the 24-hour telephone triage and advice service as well as caring for in-patients on the ward.
“Thanks to the new helpline service, all out-of-hours calls are now answered within 15 seconds. Where non-urgent advice is required, a registered nurse phones the patient back when available.
“This has further improved the service we can offer to patients on the ward and at home. It’s reassuring to know that the helpline is being manned and patients triaged promptly.”
To donate to the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group appeal – or for more information about its work – visit www.bcusg.org, email fundraising@bcusg.org or phone 07896 741233.
Pictured, Oncology helpline staff. From left: Sara Timothy, Claire Greenshields and Bex Saxon
