A newly-refurbished inpatient unit for the specialist treatment of cancer has welcomed its first patients at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. 

Ward 11b, which cares for patients requiring non-surgical oncology treatment, opened its doors to patients on Tuesday 7th May, marking a partnership arrangement with The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust (MYTT).

The new beds and assessment units will be used for both Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) and MYTT patients who need to be admitted under their consultant for care for their cancer treatment.

CHFT and MYTT now work together to provide non-surgical oncology (NSO) services. This is part of a wider ambition to provide a more joined-up service for patients and to better meet demand across the region.  

The NSO programme is delivered by the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts, which is a partnership arrangement between hospitals across West Yorkshire and Harrogate.

Chris Lord-Tyrer, Matron for Cancer Services at CHFT, said: “It’s so exciting to see how the NSO service has grown. I’m so proud of how teams from across both CHFT and MYTT have come together to work as one team, building relationships to make the service better for patients. It’s phenomenal.”

CHFT’s Charity has donated £35,000 to fund the finishing touches and a few home comforts on the ward.

Emma Kovaleski, CHFT’s Charity Manager, said: “Our kind donors have enabled us to purchase equipment for Ward 11b that directly impacts patients in a positive way.

“Donations kindly given to our cancer services fund have been used to provide equipment which allows patients to be reviewed directly on the assessment unit, rather than needing to move to different areas of the hospital.”

The Charity has also funded smaller items such as a dishwasher, which makes it possible for staff to offer patients a drink from a mug, rather than a paper cup.

Emma added: “It’s these little home comforts, such as having a drink out of a proper cup, that make a big difference to our patients’ experience of care at CHFT.”

For more information about the NSO Programme, visit the West Yorkshire Cancer Alliance website.