Paul lives near Loddon in Norfolk and began his chemotherapy at the Weybourne Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. After his first cycle, he was offered the chance to continue his cancer care on his local mobile cancer care unit, which visits a nnearby Morrisons supermarket every Friday. Here, Paul shares what that change has meant for him, in his own words.
My chemotherapy treatment began in February this year at the Weybourne Unit at the NNUH. The staff and service were excellent, but it was very busy and often entailed a bit of an anxious wait, especially initially when I was not sure what to expect. All the nursing staff were very reassuring, but in addition to the usual anxiety was the stress of driving to the hospital on a busy road and the nightmare of finding a parking spot.
After my first cycle of three weeks, I was offered the opportunity to receive the treatment on the Hope for Tomorrow mobile cancer care unit, which is parked every Friday in the local Morrisons car park. The journey itself takes only 10 minutes, and parking is always easy, right next to the mobile unit. Access is so much easier for me — it cuts down the total time by a considerable amount, and it’s been a completely different experience.
The mobile cancer care unit is like a much smaller chemotherapy ward, but apart from the size, it is identical. The four treatment seats and the treatment itself are exactly the same as in the hospital, but the atmosphere is far more relaxed and less intense. The nursing staff are always highly professional and efficient, and also very welcoming and cheerful.
I must also make a special mention of the brilliant driver of the mobile cancer care unit, Mark. He is unfailingly happy, welcoming, incredibly efficient and very caring towards all the patients. He often goes above and beyond what is expected to ensure that every patient is both safe and cared for.
I cannot overemphasise how much easier and bearable the treatment aboard the mobile cancer care unit has made my chemotherapy journey. It is a truly excellent facility and service.
We’re so grateful to Paul for taking the time to write and share his experience with us. Stories like his show the real difference a mobile cancer care unit can make to patients during such a challenging time.
If you would like to support patients like Paul and help them access mobile cancer care in the future, please donate today.
My chemotherapy treatment began in February this year at the Weybourne Unit at the NNUH. The staff and service were excellent, but it was very busy and often entailed a bit of an anxious wait, especially initially when I was not sure what to expect. All the nursing staff were very reassuring, but in addition to the usual anxiety was the stress of driving to the hospital on a busy road and the nightmare of finding a parking spot.
After my first cycle of three weeks, I was offered the opportunity to receive the treatment on the Hope for Tomorrow mobile cancer care unit, which is parked every Friday in the local Morrisons car park. The journey itself takes only 10 minutes, and parking is always easy, right next to the mobile unit. Access is so much easier for me — it cuts down the total time by a considerable amount, and it’s been a completely different experience.
The mobile cancer care unit is like a much smaller chemotherapy ward, but apart from the size, it is identical. The four treatment seats and the treatment itself are exactly the same as in the hospital, but the atmosphere is far more relaxed and less intense. The nursing staff are always highly professional and efficient, and also very welcoming and cheerful.
I must also make a special mention of the brilliant driver of the mobile cancer care unit, Mark. He is unfailingly happy, welcoming, incredibly efficient and very caring towards all the patients. He often goes above and beyond what is expected to ensure that every patient is both safe and cared for.
I cannot overemphasise how much easier and bearable the treatment aboard the mobile cancer care unit has made my chemotherapy journey. It is a truly excellent facility and service.
We’re so grateful to Paul for taking the time to write and share his experience with us. Stories like his show the real difference a mobile cancer care unit can make to patients during such a challenging time.
If you would like to support patients like Paul and help them access mobile cancer care in the future, please donate today.
