First patient treated in North Norfolk Macmillan Centre
Jane Ducker is delighted to be the first patient receiving care at the new North Norfolk Macmillan Centre at Cromer Hospital.
Mrs Ducker, 65, who lives at Aylsham, has immunotherapy treatment every three weeks as part of a long term cancer management plan and visiting Cromer is much easier than travelling to Norwich for treatment.
Mrs Ducker said: “The new unit is light and bright – what a wonderful environment for patients and staff. From the window, we can even see the birds and squirrels playing in the garden.
“I’ve been treated regularly for about four years and was able to transfer from Norwich to Cromer last year for my immunotherapy where I received treatment in the main Cromer building and now in this new centre. The Weybourne Unit at the hospital is marvellous but the whole Norwich site is so much busier and more difficult to get to from my home.
“I like being with other patients when I have my treatment as you can laugh with people and help the treatment along. Some might expect a cancer unit to be a sad place, but sharing experiences makes a difference and the treatment is less scary as a result.”
The new Macmillan Centre will enable more chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments to be delivered at Cromer alongside a range of other clinical services and an information and support service for patients experiencing cancer. It includes three new clinic rooms, two minor procedure rooms, five chemotherapy chairs and one chair for the Acute Oncology Service which supports patients through their cancer treatment.
The centre is a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support, the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity and the Trust.