Royal Preston Hospital oncology ward refurbishment gets underway thanks to more than £1m funding

The Ribblesdale ward is the only inpatient oncology-specific ward in Lancashire and South Cumbria and supports patients with a wide range of clinical needs and end-of-life care.

The project will receive more than £1m of funding from the Rosemere Cancer Foundation following its 20th-anniversary appeal.

Dr Geraldine Skailes, medical director at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Today is a significant and exciting milestone for the care and services that we provide

to patients on our oncology ward.

“With a strong focus on recovery and wellbeing, the transformation will help our staff to provide excellent care to cancer patients across Lancashire and South Cumbria for many years to

come.”

The interior will be inspired by nature with bespoke wood designs which will feature back-lit art panels, floor vectors, and skylights that can be tailored to the time of day.

Patients’ loved ones will have access to a relative room which will include homely furnishings such as sofas, a tv unit, bean bags, loose storage, and digital wall prints; as well as a modern

kitchen space.

A quiet room, which will be suitable for all patients, will also be designed to offer a calm environment for patients away from the clinical and busy ward environment.

Dan Hill, chief officer at the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “It is a privilege for our Foundation to be able to support this wonderful project.

“Bringing together world-class cancer treatments and services is at the heart of what we do and we are grateful to the goodwill of our supporters who help us to deliver these all-important

projects for cancer patients.”

Tilbury Douglas, formerly known as Interserve Construction, has been awarded the contract to refurbish the Ribblesdale Oncology Ward and has pledged to raise additional funds towards

the project.

Phil Shaw, divisional director at Tilbury Douglas, said: “We are delighted to be marking the start of the refurbishment.

“It’s not only an important project milestone but a celebration of our continued relationship with the team at Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHSFT following the successful completion of

Covid response works during the pandemic.”

Patients are being reassured that core Ribblesdale services will be delivered from another ward while renovation works are underway without any disruption to their treatment or care.

The Trust would like to thank supporters for their charitable donations, as well as the Cumbria Community Foundation, Beaverbrooks, and the Eric Wright Foundation Trust.

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