Innovative and proven new cancer treatment equipment, which will bring significant benefits to patients, is being funded for use by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust treatment facilities.
The charity, Cancer Care and Haematology Fund (CCHF), has committed £143,500 for the purchase of Plum 360 Infusion Pumps for use at Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe hospitals.
Infusion pumps are complex machines used by nurses to deliver controlled amounts of anti-cancer chemicals very slowly into a patient's bloodstream during chemotherapy treatment.
Michelle Pearsall, Macmillan Matron for Oncology and Haematology, at Stoke Mandeville, explained: “The new pumps are an innovative and progressive way to administer systemic anti-cancer treatments. They use new technology which is proven to be safe and effective, and is a great example of using technology for pioneering cancer treatment in the clinical environment.
“This is an amazing way to use digital technology to release more time for nurses to care for patients and further improve patient safety and comfort.”
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust are acquiring a total of 65 pumps immediately, followed by the introduction of a further new software programme within 18 months. The Trust will supply 45 pumps to the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit and Ward 5 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and 20 pumps to the Sunrise Unit at Wycombe Hospital.
Dr Ann Watson, Chair of CCHF, said: “This state-of-the-art chemotherapy administration system should make treatment more straightforward and comfortable for both patients and nurses. Our charity was established to deliver just these sorts of benefits through public support and subscription, and it makes us so happy to see the results of our fundraising used in such an exciting and positive way.”
The Cancer Care and Haematology Fund is a charity set up to help those suffering from cancer and haematology based diseases in Buckinghamshire. Through public fundraising a specialist unit – the CCHU - was built and opened in January 2001 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury. The charity continues to provide financial support for projects which benefit patients cared for at the CCHU, 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.
Image of Plum 360 Infusion Pump © ICU Medical, Inc.
