The Royal Oldham Hospital launches chemotherapy at home service

Lynne Cadwallader, one of the first patients to receive this service, with Colette R Djiedeu T, Macmillan haematology clinical nurse specialist

The haematology team at The Royal Oldham Hospital is leading the way with a pioneering chemotherapy treatment programme delivering treatment to cancer patients in the comfort of their own home.

Supported by a multidisciplinary team, including pharmacists and Macmillan nurses, the clinical nurse specialists are helping improve the lives of patients living across Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.

This service is for patients with a bone marrow condition called Myelodysplasia and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, which is a form of blood cancer.

The wait in the hospital for this treatment can range from four-six hours. By having the treatment at home, it has freed up space and nursing time in the haematology day unit to focus on patients with conditions which require more intensive treatment.

Dr Satarupa Choudhuri, cancer lead for haematology at The Royal Oldham, said: “This service is operating a seven-day-a-week regime. It enables patients to receive life-prolonging treatment in the comfort of their own homes without the trauma of a lengthy hospital trip.

“Our patients are fully supported by our clinical nurse specialists and the feedback that we’ve had from patients is that they’re finding the experience a simple process that not only improves their quality of life - but it also saves them a trip to hospital, time and money spent parking and hours waiting for their treatment.”

Lynne Cadwallader, one of the first patients to receive this service, said: “This has made a massive difference to me. I have treatment every day for a week and as the week goes on, I get more and more tired. The choice to have treatment at home means I don’t have to travel when I’m not feeling well and I’m in the comfort of my own home. I’m very happy with this service.”

Colette R Djiedeu T, Macmillan haematology clinical nurse specialist, said: “It is great to be involved in service improvement, and even greater to see how happy patients can be when receiving treatment from their own home. A patient’s happiness is my motivation.”