A development to refurbish the Ribblesdale oncology ward at the Royal Preston Hospital is underway.
The Ribblesdale ward is the only inpatient oncology-specific ward in Lancashire & South Cumbria and supports patients with a wide range of clinical needs and end-of-life care.
The 24-bed state-of-the-art ward will consist of shared and single bedroom spaces for patients being cared for by a specialist cancer team, with additional areas for relatives to visit their loved ones.
Nature-inspired interiors will promote a healthy recovery and positive wellbeing through bespoke wood designs which will feature back-lit art panels, floor vectors, and skylights that can be tailored to the time of day.
Patients loved ones will have access to a relative room which will include homely furnishings such as sofas, a tv unit, bean bags, loose storage, and digital wall prints; as well as a modern kitchen space.
A quiet room, which will be suitable for all patients, will also be designed to offer an aesthetically pleasing and calm environment for patients away from the clinical and busy ward environment.
Dr Geraldine Skailes, Medical Director at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Today is a significant and exciting milestone for the care and services that we provide to patients on our oncology ward.
“With a strong focus on recovery and wellbeing, the transformation will help our staff to provide excellent care to cancer patients across Lancashire and South Cumbria for many years to come.”
The project will receive over £1,000,000 of funding from the Rosemere Cancer Foundation following its hugely successful 20th-anniversary appeal.
Dan Hill, Chief Officer at the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: "It is a privilege for our foundation to be able to support this wonderful project.
"Bringing together world-class cancer treatments and services is at the heart of what we do and we are grateful to the goodwill of our supporters who help us to deliver these all-important projects for cancer patients."
Tilbury Douglas, formerly Interserve Construction, has been awarded the contract to refurbish the Ribblesdale Oncology Ward and has pledged to raise additional funds towards the project.
Phil Shaw, Divisional Director at Tilbury Douglas, said: “We are delighted to be here today marking the start of the refurbishment. It’s not only an important project milestone but a celebration of our continued relationship with the team at Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHSFT following the successful completion of COVID response works during the pandemic.”
Patients should be reassured that core Ribblesdale services will be delivered from another ward while renovation works are underway without any disruption to their treatment or care.
The Trust would like to thank all of our supporters for their charitable donations, as well as the Cumbria Community Foundation, Beaverbrooks, and the Eric Wright Foundation Trust.
