Support group gives to assist cancer patients’ comfort

Cancer Support Services (CSS) has made yet another donation to improve the comfort of cancer patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

On Thursday, it donated several pieces of furniture and a printer to be used for the benefit of persons receiving treatment in the Clara Brathwaite Centre for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine.

Thanking CSS during a brief handing-over ceremony at its headquarters in Dayrell’s Court Business Centre, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Dr Sonia Browne said improving privacy and care for these at-risk patients continued to be a major focus for the hospital.

“If any of you have visited the Clara Brathwaite Centre, you know that we are in need of even a waiting space for patients, [there are] issues with privacy with respect to patients getting treatment, so any little bit helps for patient comfort,” she said.

“Cancer is one of these things where fear is a part of it. Some people go through treatment alone and any little bit that helps with respect to patient comfort and the process of administration for these patients is very much welcomed within the QEH.

“With respect to the isolation area, it’s an area where patients are isolated that would have had radioactive therapy and cannot mingle with the rest of the patients.

“Isolation equates to loneliness; nurses are limited, visitors are limited, so anything that can make this area closer to a home environment is much welcomed and something that is needed in the QEH,” Dr Browne added.

Senior Radiographer at the QEH Derlwyn Wilkinson also thanked the CSS for their repeated donations to the hospital over the years. He was especially thankful for the printer which he said the department needed for some time.

“We live in an era where accurate information is essential, particularly in the medical field, and in the Clara Brathwaite Centre we use printed patient safety documents as one of the strategies for facilitating the exchange of information.

“These documents vary from information that was provided to patients on procedures they want to undergo, how to prepare for them, what are the reactions they might get from the treatment and what actions they can take to mitigate them,” Wilkinson said in explaining the importance of the printer donation. (SB)