The new Cancer Ward in which I might have a transplant

This new ward is fantastic as it has all the latest technology, space, good design and lots of goodies for patients. So if I have to have a transplant, at least I will be in an excellent ward with great staff - supported by Kings, using Skype for example.

Individual room showing corridor

Until recently MDS patients needing an unrelated donor transplant from places like Devon and Cornwall have tended to go to a Centre of Excellence such as Kings College Hospital London, as did Rosalind. This can be a logistics nightmare being very costly and adds to the stress level

Derriford hospital, run by the Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, has had a haematology transplant ward for many years – Birch Ward, but the facility level was only sufficient to enable you to have your own stem cells back, or those of a sibling. Your own stem cells are not an option for MDS patients. I have been attending there for several years, going to Kings for occasional chats with the Prof.

Over the last seven years Derriford Hospital has been working towards creating a new unit, Bracken Ward, for unrelated donor bone marrow transplants.  A charity called the PDLF – Plymouth and District Leukaemia Fund - has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to add those extras that the NHS could not afford and supplement this new high-tech transplant ward. We managed to raise a few thousand.

In parallel, staff passed all the training hurdles to be approved to do unrelated transplants and started doing them in the adjacent Birch Ward – now also being refurbished for day cases.

The new ward opened for business a few weeks ago to rave reviews by patients, carers and staff.

The success of this venture is down to many things, in particular excellent planners, the dedicated team of Consultants, nurses and other staff who designed the ward and the PDLF. A small group of patients and carers, including Rosalind and myself,  were asked to provide input and feedback on every part of the development.

Some of the criteria were

Fantastic bio-security - the individual rooms have their own air-conditioning, filtration units and special barrier doors to minimise risk of airborne infections.Special attention to enable each room to be kept clinically spotless at all times.

Showing entrance to ensuite bathroom

Comfort. The beds are great, and the patient and carers both have nice looking comfortable chairs. These were tested out by patients and carers before being bought. Tables that fit over the bed were carefully selected for ease of use, appearance and bio-security.  And the lighting can be gentle, normal or functional as needed.

Each room has been designed to enable patients to stay there without ‘climbing up the wall’. They are spacious and cheerfully decorated. Colour schemes were tested out with patients and carers, including those feeling sick when colours and smells take on a whole new meaning. Consideration was given to what patients could see from their bed, from their chairs and through the windows. If you have ever been cooped up in a small room for weeks or even months you will understand.

Entertainment and technology. High-end easy-to-use smart televisions for watching TV, displaying films, slides shows, providing free Internet access, etc.  Patients can bring their own family photos or videos to display on the screen and are encouraged to use phones, IPads or other devices to keep in touch with family or friends through things like Skype. A school in Tavistock is adding to the photographic collection of scenic views which can be watched on a gently changing picture show.

Spacious en-suite bathrooms

Large fully equipped en-suite bathrooms for each room are a major bonus. If you feel rubbish, you might need facilities quickly, with the ability to have them cleaned thoroughly very easily.

Transparent Door

Switched back to opaque

Patients may click a switch from their bed to turn the glass door from fully transparent to enable them to see what is going on outside. Or back to opaque when they want to be left alone. Consultants and nurses can also switch it on and off from outside to see how you are.

Decoration – each room has its own special art work. Some of the rooms were designed especially for young patients with a more appropriate look and feel, and more Hi Tech facilities to meet the needs of the modern Internet savvy person.

Functionality – all the mod technical cons and backup you need in a state of the art transplant ward.

Nurses Control Centre

Schematic showing 10 transplant rooms entered via dual robing areas

I will let you know what it is like as a patient at some future posting - the earliest would be November is my guess