Enter and view: Chemotherapy Cancer Services, Great Western Hospital
Download (PDF 1.07 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Swindon undertook an announced enter and view visit to the Chemotherapy Cancer Services at Great Western Hospital specifically the Dove Ward, Osprey Ward and the unit within the Swindon Intermediate Care Centre on 6 December 2023. They were invited to do so by the Cancer Team.
With no official oncology unit, the space is very limited, thus reducing where some patients can receive their treatment due to complexities of their medical needs.
There was insufficient storage for both patients’ personal belongings and equipment required to treat patients.
Staff and volunteers knew their patients well and provided brilliant care. All patients spoke very highly of the staff and felt well supported. • Staff and volunteers made visitors feel welcome.
With the units being so cramped and more people requiring treatment and in some cases for much longer time scales, there is a concern as to where and how that can be achieved.
Medications cannot be prepared on site, so if they are delayed getting to GWH it impacts the organisation of the day and in some cases, people’s receipt of their treatment.
The report contains seven recommendations.