[C]ancer patients being treated at hospitals managed by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) are to continue to receive complementary therapy alongside their conventional medical treatment, thanks to an award of £26,011.50 from Rosemere Cancer Foundation.
The physical, emotional and psychological benefits of complementary therapies such as aromatherapy during cancer treatment are well documented in research papers and the money from Rosemere Cancer Foundation represents half of the total cost of patients having accessing to them three days a week at Furness General Hospital at a cost £10,392, two days at Royal Lancaster Infirmary, costing £9,876 and one day a week at Westmorland General Hospital at £5,743.50 until the end of March next year (2019). The remaining half of the bill is being footed by the Trust.
The Trust’s lead cancer nurse, Pauline Robinson (pictured), who applied for the grant from Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “As cancer is now considered a long-term condition with the focus on self-management, patients welcome the opportunity to avail themselves of such therapeutic services to aid their recovery. The feedback received by staff from patients, who use the service, is extremely positive.”
Rosemere Cancer Foundation fundraises to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients being treated at eight hospitals throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria, as well as at Rosemere Cancer Centre at the Royal Preston Hospital. The cancer centre is the region’s specialist cancer treatment centre, undertaking all radiotherapy plus other specialised treatment for the two counties. For further information on its work and how to donate, visit www.rosemere.org.uk