There was  fun and fizz and huge elation at the packed formal opening of our new  oncology unit at HRI. 

Click here to view the ribbon snipping ceremony by volunteer Carol Armitage.

The new Greenlea Unit has been created on former ward 7 in a striking colour scheme of purple and green and amazing murals on the walls and pictures drawn by the children of members of staff.  

Prof JK Joffe talked of his delight to be celebrating the opening of the unit after 16 years in the planning and waiting stages. He said:  "There have been many ups and downs along the way and we are delighted  to be here today."  He presented Sister Jackie Swire with gifts in recognition of all her work for the project and joked: "She has terrorised the whole department and made the builders quake!." He presented her with a specially created hi-vis jacket with "When I say purple, I don't mean ******* magnolia"  in recognition of the breakthrough, bold new colour scheme and a hard hat with "Gaffer" on it amongst other gifts. (see attachments)

He also thanked everyone from architects, estates, Interserve and Jammal for "being fantastic and ensuring every crisis was sorted calmly and quickly". Thanks also went to the chemotherapy and outpatient nurses and doctors, all the health care assistants. domestics, porters, caterers and electronics experts, Paxman coolers and all medical staff. 

Volunteer Carol Armitage, snipped the ribbon. She has been on the unit from the start. She said: "On behalf of all volunteers past and present can I say how much it means to us to help on this ward. Over the years I have met some wonderful people and it is a pleasure to do what we do for them. In the 20 years I have been here there have been so many changes but the care remains the same. All the wonderful staff provide a wonderful service and this new place will help them to continue with their magnificent work."

Patient Heather Conolly baked an extra butterfly-decorated cake fo the event. She said: "Throughout the treatment, staff make you feel as they have all the time in the world for us even in the old setting and in cramped conditions and that is whay I made a promise to bake them a cake when they finally moved here."