A NEW £1million cancer and blood disorder unit has opened its doors at the Hospital of St Cross.
The purpose-built Haematology and Oncology unit, named The Maple Unit, has five outpatient consultation rooms and nine day case treatment chairs – expanding the outpatient appointments available in Rugby.
Construction to transform the old Mulberry Ward, which started in September last year, was completed earlier this month, with specialist equipment and furniture delivered and installed over the last few weeks.
The Maple Unit was developed thanks to generous donations from local charities.
Coventry Hospitals Charity, which was founded by healthcare staff and local businesses in the 1980s, donated £845,000 for the building work and redevelopment of the site.
The Friends of St Cross fund-raised £200,000 for the specialist equipment and furniture, including the nine treatment chairs.
Consultant Haematologist Dr Beth Harrison said: “The Maple Unit is a lovely facility and it is wonderful that we have started to hold clinics and treat patients here.
“The transformation from a disused ward to a bespoke unit for our patients has been really exciting.”
Sam Neale, Lead Nurse for Chemotherapy Services, added: “The opening of The Maple Unit is fantastic for our patients, expanding our capacity for treatment across the region.
“After so much hard work over the last eight months I’m thrilled that The Maple Unit is now open.”
Hospital Manager Janine Beddow added: “The Maple Unit is a fantastic addition to the care we provide at the Hospital of St Cross and continues our drive to deliver care closer to home for our patients.
“This welcome investment underlines University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust’s (UHCW) commitment to improving patient experience throughout the Hospital of St Cross.”
Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of UHCW, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring a service to Rugby that has never been available in the town before.
“By providing this important patient care closer to people’s doorsteps in a brand new facility, we hope to provide a complete all-round service which aligns with our existing services.
“The opening of The Maple Unit also further shows our commitment to Rugby and the Hospital of St Cross as well as our priority to put our patients first.”
Last year the Trust invested more than £2million improving older buildings at Rugby, on LED lighting, modernising electrics and general refurbishments across the Barby Road site.
Haematology and Oncology services continue to be delivered at University Hospital in Coventry.
