Charity funds innovative new treatment for Trust cancer care units
Charity, Cancer Care and Haematology Fund (CCHF), has committed £143,500 for the purchase of Plum 360 Infusion Pumps for use at Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe hospitals.
Infusion pumps are complex machines used by nurses to deliver controlled amounts of anti-cancer chemicals very slowly into a patient’s bloodstream during chemotherapy treatment.
Michelle Pearsall, Macmillan Matron for Oncology and Haematology, at Stoke Mandeville, explained: “The new pumps are an innovative and progressive way to administer systemic anti-cancer treatments. They use new technology which is proven to be safe and effective, and is a great example of using technology for pioneering cancer treatment in the clinical environment.
“This is an amazing way to use digital technology to release more time for nurses to care for patients and further improve patient safety and comfort.”
The Trust is acquiring a total of 65 pumps immediately, followed by the introduction of a further new software programme within 18 months. The Trust will supply 45 pumps to the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit and Ward 5 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and 20 pumps to the Sunrise Unit at Wycombe Hospital.
Dr Ann Watson, Chair of CCHF, said: “This state-of-the-art chemotherapy administration system should make treatment more straightforward and comfortable for both patients and nurses. Our charity was established to deliver just these sorts of benefits through public support and subscription, and it makes us so happy to see the results of our fundraising used in such an exciting and positive way.”
