Chemotherapy Unit at Luton & Dunstable Hospital
Our principal charity for 2012 is The Chemotherapy Unit at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.
Each year the Chemotherapy Unit at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital treats hundreds of patients from across Bedfordshire and parts of Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Thanks to the fantastic support from past patients and our local community we can buy extra equipment and comfort items for the Unit ensuring that all our patients are treated in the best possible 'healing' environment.
Money donated from the Carnival will be used to purchase such equipment, which may, for example, include specialist Hospira Pumps, costing £1,300 each. These pumps are designed to administer the chemotherapy drug at a specific rate over the course of each individual treatment session which usually lasts about an hour.
This treatment is currently performed by a nurse and by hand which is very time consuming and not as accurate as when it is done automatically. The new pumps are much safer than administering the drug by hand and the treatment time will be considerably quicker which makes the patients experience less stressful and uncomfortable.
Using these new automated pumps will also free up nurses time meaning they can spend more time talking toand caring for patients and preparing them for the treatment rather than just treating them. Furthermore, it will increase the number of patients that can be treated on the unit everyday which in turn will reduce waiting times.
If you would like to find out more about the project on the Chemotherapy Unit or other areas within the hospital please feel free to contact Sarah Newby on 01582 718 043 or email [email protected] or visit ldh.nhs.uk/charity.