The charity that supports people who are being treated for cancer and haematology illnesses in Buckinghamshire is spending £100,000 on a special facility for patients and staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, near Aylesbury.
The free-standing, modular “pod” is designed to a high environmental standard and will be sited next to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust's existing Cancer Care and Haematology Unit (CCHU). Its calm and comfortable space will be used by patients, families and staff for informal and relaxed meetings away from the bustle of the CCHU treatment area.
The pod is being paid for by the Cancer Care and Haematology Fund (CCHF), but will be owned and operated by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. CCHF was formed in 1990 to raise funds for the existing CCHU, which was opened by the Princess Royal in 2001 at a cost of £1 million. A further extension to the Unit – again funded by the charity – was opened in 2007.
Chair of the Cancer Care and Haematology Charity (CCHF), Dr Ann Watson, explained: “We are so pleased that the charity can again come forward to fund this additional space for the Stoke Mandeville Unit. We work closely with the NHS Trust and the decision to provide the pod was driven by the medical teams who felt it could be tremendously helpful to patients, their families and supporters.
A modular building similar to the one proposed for the CCHU, Stoke Mandeville
“To be able to fund such an exciting new building at this level is very gratifying for CCHF, and it represents a huge success for all of our supporters across Buckinghamshire and beyond who work so hard to raise money for those who continue to suffer from cancer and similar illnesses,” added Dr Watson.
The pod is being supplied by Agile Property and Homes Limited who specialise in making and delivering safe, civil, low carbon and affordable modular homes and buildings.
Michelle Pearsall, Macmillan Matron Oncology and Haematology at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to CCHF charity for its continued support of our unit. The team is very excited and can’t wait for the pod to be up and running in time for warmer weather. It will enable us to have what can often be emotional conversations in a lovely, non-clinical environment. It will be a fantastic facility, both for staff as well as for patients and their families.”
Craig White, Chief Executive at Agile Property and Homes, commented: “Agile is delighted to be working with Stoke Mandeville Hospital on this wonderful project. We are delivering a beautiful and sustainable space for people and their families to meet with their medical team to support them on their health journey.
“Made from natural and renewable, low-carbon materials, the making of the Pod has also provided skills, training and education for prisoners released on temporary licence (from HMP Springhill in Buckinghamshire) at our Centre for Low and Innovative Carbon Solutions (CLiCs). This unique programme provides prisoners with pathways to meaningful employment and significantly reduces their risk of re-offending.”
The building:
The proposed modular eco-building is designed for domestic, commercial or community use and offers both comfort and space with minimal carbon impact and features green roofs that support biodiversity.
Designed on Passivhaus principles [buildings created to rigorous energy efficient design standards so that they maintain an almost constant temperature] the new pod is built from mostly natural, low impact materials, and features high-performance insulation, air-tightness and sustainability. Curved lines create spacious, calming interiors to accommodate work, rest or recreation.
The CCHU pod has been constructed and fitted out off-site and will be delivered and installed next to the existing Cancer Care and Haematology Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. https://agile.property
The NHS Trust:
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) is an integrated provider of acute hospital and community services for people living in Buckinghamshire as well as some people living across the borders in surrounding counties. We provide care to over half a million patients every year in our hospitals, community settings and in people’s own homes.
More than 6,000 people work for us. This includes clinical colleagues, such as doctors, nurses, midwives, health visitors, therapists, support workers and healthcare scientists, all supported by corporate and administrative colleagues. We are committed to ensuring that BHT embraces and celebrates diversity as we strive to tackle inequalities both within the workforce and in our local communities.
We are proud of the nationally recognised services that we provide. Stoke Mandeville Hospital is home to the internationally recognised National Spinal Injuries Centre; our stroke service is one of the best in the region and we are a regional centre for burn care, plastic surgery and dermatology. Our vision is to provide outstanding care, create healthy communities and make a BHT a great place to work. https://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk
The charity:
The Cancer Care and Haematology Fund is a small charity set up to help those diagnosed with cancer and haematology based diseases and who are being treated by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. CCHF provides financial support for projects which benefit patients cared for at the CCHU Stoke Mandeville, the Sunrise Unit in Wycombe Hospital and in community settings across Buckinghamshire and neighbouring counties.
Cash is raised by donations from a generous public and the charity is managed by a team of trustees and volunteers who give their time for free so that as much money as possible benefits the support and comfort of patients. www.cchf.org.uk
Main picture above: the modular pod undergoing final preparations at Agile Property and Homes Ltd's Oxfordshire factory.
