Another significant milestone in the work of the Cancer Care and Haematology Fund (CCHF) was celebrated last week with the formal opening of an exciting new modular building at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, near Aylesbury.
The attractive “pod” has been sited next to the hospital's Cancer Care and Haematology Unit (CCHU) and will provide space for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust's Cancer Information and Wellbeing Service.
The £100,000 cost of the pod has been fully funded by the CCHF charity – just as the cancer and haematology unit was nearly 25 years ago.
The ribbon was cut on Thursday 3 October by the Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Neil Macdonald, with the assistance of Michelle Pearsall, Macmillan Matron for Oncology and Haematology, Kate Harris-Haigh, Cancer Information and Wellbeing Lead, and Dr Ann Watson, Chair of CCHF.
Buckinghamshire NHS Trust Chief Executive Neil Macdonald (centre) pictured at the pod opening with staff and guests
Michelle Pearsall explained: “The pod is a calm and welcoming space where people can come in, have a cup of tea and get the advice and support they need. It’s great that it is right beside - but separate from - the main Cancer Unit and we hope people will pop in and visit our cancer information and wellbeing team as and when they feel they need to. We’re incredibly grateful to CCHF charity for its continued support of our unit.”
Ann Watson said: “The Cancer Care and Haematology Fund are so pleased to have been able to assist in the provision of this exciting and innovative building for the Trust. Our charity was established for this very purpose: to fund additional comfort and care for those who are suffering from cancer and haematology illnesses. This building will do just that and our many wonderful supporters and fundraisers will be delighted”.
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 or rest.
Watch Kate Harris-Haigh, Cancer Information and Wellbeing Lead, explain how the pod will be used
The pod was supplied by Agile Property and Homes Limited who specialise in making and delivering safe, civil, low carbon and affordable modular homes and buildings. The making of the pod also provided skills, training and education for prisoners released on temporary licence (from HMP Springhill in Buckinghamshire) at Agile's 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.9 October 2024