The unit makes the world of difference.
Mike Darby often saw the mobile cancer care unit whenever he was driving past Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
As the husband of an oncology nurse, he knew only too well how the unit could be a great asset to the hospitals in the county that were providing treatment across a vast area for cancer patients.
After a while of remarking on this to his wife, Linda, she had a word with her line manager to say how much Mike would like to help out as a bank driver, filling in when there wasn’t anyone else available.
Having been a fire fighter with Gloucestershire Fire Service he already had a large goods vehicle driving licence which he maintained after he retired four years ago.
I thought I might as well put it to good use.
“After 32 years in the fire service I knew I thrived on being around people and I wanted to do something worthwhile with my retirement.
“I had experience of working in a team and I also had first-hand knowledge, through Linda, of the valuable support chemo nurses provide for patients.
Mike was taken on as a ‘back up’ to help out but soon after he started, he was able to take on the duty of the main driver.
Mike was happy to step into the role and now drives the unit named Helen, two days a week, to Cinderford on a Wednesday and Cirencester on Fridays and he has never looked back.
Hardly a day goes by when you don’t hear someone saying how great it is to have the service provided by the unit.
“It’s a very, very, nice feeling knowing that I am helping to make life even a tiny bit more tolerable for people going through such a horrible time.
“Everyone who uses the unit is so appreciative not to have to do miles and hours of travelling. They don’t have to stress about parking or worry about the uncertainty of how long they might have to wait for their treatment.
“The unit makes the world of difference. It’s so small and friendly and the waiting time is nothing like it is at a busy hospital. Patients are so grateful for that.
“It might seem to some people on the surface that I am the one doing the helping but the truth is I also get such a lot back from this job too. The positive response from the patients makes me feel so appreciated and it is very satisfying to be able to make a difference, however small that might be in the grand scheme of things.”
Mike says working in the mobile unit environment is a great leveller.
“It has made me acutely aware that cancer has no boundaries. It can strike anyone, it’s totally indiscriminate. Sometimes I look at a new patient and I am taken aback by how young they are. It really does make you realise you can’t take anything for granted. Rich or poor, young or old, no-one is untouchable when it comes to cancer.”
Although Mike’s role is purely non-clinical – he makes sure the unit is roadworthy and topped up with fuel – he says he really enjoys greeting the patients when they arrive and making them comfortable.
“I sit them down and make them a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit and by then I have usually made a judgement on how chatty they want to be.
“Even when you get to know the patients quite well, which you inevitably do over a long time, it’s still important to let them lead the conversation. I don’t like to pry but if they volunteer information, I am only too happy to sit and talk with them. I think I am quite good at judging that and I would say it is as important a skill to have as a driving licence for this job.
“We are seeing people at their absolute most vulnerable and we as a team, never forget that.
“For me, being able to work alongside such caring nurses and to play my part, is hugely satisfying and fulfilling,” says Mike who now at the age of 60 is showing no sign of giving up the role.
He says: “It’s a job I didn’t see in my future years ago back when I was in the fire service, but I honestly can’t imagine not doing it now.”
The unit makes the world of difference.
Mike Darby often saw the mobile cancer care unit whenever he was driving past Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
As the husband of an oncology nurse, he knew only too well how the unit could be a great asset to the hospitals in the county that were providing treatment across a vast area for cancer patients.
After a while of remarking on this to his wife, Linda, she had a word with her line manager to say how much Mike would like to help out as a bank driver, filling in when there wasn’t anyone else available.
Having been a fire fighter with Gloucestershire Fire Service he already had a large goods driving licence which he maintained after he retired four years ago.
I thought I might as well put it to good use.
“After 32 years in the fire service I knew I thrived on being around people and I wanted to do something worthwhile with my retirement.
“I had experience of working in a team and I also had first-hand knowledge, through Linda, of the valuable support chemo nurses provide for patients.
Mike was taken on as a ‘back up’ to help out but soon after he started, he was able to take on the duty of the main driver.
Mike was happy to step into the role and now drives the unit named Helen, two days a week, to Cinderford on a Wednesday and Cirencester on Fridays and he has never looked back.
Hardly a day goes by when you don’t hear someone saying how great it is to have the service provided by the unit.
“It’s a very, very, nice feeling knowing that I am helping to make life even a tiny bit more tolerable for people going through such a horrible time.
“Everyone who uses the unit is so appreciative not to have to do miles and hours of travelling.They don’t have to stress about parking or worry about the uncertainty of how long they might have to wait for their treatment.
“The unit makes the world of difference. It’s so small and friendly and the waiting time is nothing like it is at a busy hospital. Patients are so grateful for that.
“It might seem to some people on the surface that I am the one doing the helping but the truth is I also get such a lot back from this job too. The positive response from the patients makes me feel so appreciated and it is very satisfying to be able to make a difference, however small that might be in the grand scheme of things.”
Mike says working in the mobile unit environment is a great leveller.
“It has made me acutely aware that cancer had no boundaries. It can strike anyone, it’s totally indiscriminate.Sometimes I look at a new patient and I am taken aback by how young they are. It really does make you realise you can’t take anything for granted. Rich or poor, young or old, no-one is untouchable when it comes to cancer.”
Although Mike’s role is purely non-clinical – he makes sure the unit is roadworthy and topped up with fuel – he says he really enjoys greeting the patients when they arrive and making them comfortable.
“I sit them down and make them a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit and by then I have usually made a judgement on how chatty they want to be.
“Even when you get to know the patients quite well, which you inevitably do over a long time, it’s still important to let them lead the conversation. I don’t like to pry but if they volunteer information, I am only too happy to sit and talk with them. I think I am quite good at judging that and I would say it is as important a skill to have as a driving licence for this job.
“We are seeing people at their absolute most vulnerable and we as a team, never forget that.
“For me, being able to work alongside such caring nurses and to play my part, is hugely satisfying and fulfilling,” says Mike who now at the age of 60 is showing no sign of giving up the role.
He says: “It’s a job I didn’t see in my future years ago back when I was in the fire service, but I honestly can’t imagine not doing it now.”
