Monday 29th September 2014 saw the launch of our 8th Mobile Chemotherapy Unit, which took place at Great Western Hospital, Swindon.
This, our North Wiltshire Unit, which has been named ‘Linda’ in memory of the late wife of Hope for Tomorrow supporter Captain Dan Conley, was built and is owned and maintained by Hope for Tomorrow, and provided to the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to operate with its fully qualified nursing team.
The Unit was officially launched by Captain Dan Conley along with the Chairman of Hope for Tomorrow, Lord MacLaurin DL.
Captain Dan Conley said: “I am truly honoured that the brand new North Wiltshire Mobile Chemotherapy Unit is to be named after my late wife. A supporter of Hope for Tomorrow for many years, through Linda’s illness I really came to appreciate the very great benefits of what this Charity enables in providing mobile chemotherapy to patients at locations close to their homes. It is absolutely wonderful that this new MCU will perpetuate the memory of Linda who as a Wiltshire County Councillor worked very hard and enthusiastically in supporting the people of Wiltshire.”
Two Mobile Chemotherapy Units for Wiltshire
Up until recently Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust shared a Unit with Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, however Salisbury have now taken over complete operation of the original Wiltshire Unit ‘Kayleigh’, which is now our South Wiltshire Mobile Chemotherapy Unit.
North Wiltshire MCU Treatment Locations
‘Linda’ will visit Calne and Marlborough to give treatments, plus 3 additional locations around Swindon, that are to be confirmed. The Unit will spend one day in each location, and around 8 patients a day will benefit from the new mobile service.
Helen Winter, Lead Chemotherapy Nurse, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very grateful to Hope for Tomorrow for providing another fantastic facility which will make an enormous difference to our patients, giving people more choice and convenience.”
Below: The logo’s of the Mark Master Masons and The Mark Benevolent Fund.
Over the next 4 years, and to mark their 150th Anniversary in 2018, The Mark Benevolent Fund will fund a number of Mobile Chemotherapy Units, which Hope for Tomorrow will launch across the country, with the North Wiltshire Unit being the second of these. (Lincolnshire being the first).
