Appeal brings specialist cancer care closer to home for local children
The Chartwell Children’s Cancer Trust is delighted to announce the successful completion of its appeal to fund four specialist high-acuity observation monitors for Tiger Ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, helping more children and young people receive cancer treatment closer to home.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters, the charity raised £26,800 to purchase the four monitors, each costing £6,700. The equipment will support the Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit as it expands its services to provide infusional chemotherapy locally.
Infusional chemotherapy involves the prolonged administration of cancer treatment and requires continuous, high-level monitoring so that clinical teams can detect changes early and respond quickly. The new monitors will play a vital role in ensuring children and young people can receive this complex treatment safely within the dedicated Infusional Chemotherapy Suite being developed on Tiger Ward.
Tiger Ward currently supports around 40 children receiving cancer care and is working to expand the range of specialist treatments available locally. For families facing the challenges of childhood cancer, receiving more care closer to home can make a significant difference. It means less travelling to specialist centres, reduced disruption to family life, and more opportunities for children to remain connected to their schools, friends and support networks.
Samantha MacDonald, Paediatric Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist on Tiger Ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, said:
“The new monitors will make a significant difference to both our patients and staff on Tiger Ward. They will allow us to closely monitor children and young people receiving complex treatments, helping us to provide safer and more responsive care whilst also giving families additional reassurance during what can be a very difficult time.”
The Chartwell Children’s Cancer Trust would like to thank every individual, organisation and supporter who contributed to the appeal. Your support continues to help us improve care, provide vital equipment and ensure that children facing cancer receive the best possible support throughout their treatment journey.