MP visits inspirational Bobby Moore Unit

3 March 2010

MP Ann Coffey visited Stepping Hill hospital, and spent an hour looking round the Bobby Moore outpatient unit with Chris Burke, chief executive, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.

Ann met staff and patients at the unit, which was established in 2000 as a fast-track system to diagnose cancer as quickly as possible.

Amongst the nursing staff, the MP talked to Jane Carpenter, head of Nursing at the Unit. Jane explained that patients are now seen by a specialist within two weeks if their GP suspects they may have cancer. Patients no longer have to wait and worry for weeks. The consultants at the Unit can do the necessary tests and non-cancerous symptoms can normally be treated in the unit by a specialist nurse. If it is more serious then the team can support and treat patients every step of the way.

After surgery for cancer, many patients need a course of chemotherapy, and the Bobby Moore Unit's Laurel Suite can now give this treatment as an alternative to going to Christies. Claire Gibbons, Cancer Specialist nurse and sister at the Laurel Suite, told Ann that 15 patients come in on a Friday for chemotherapy as part of their treatment for bowel cancer.

Ann also met Dr Hassan, the consultant from Christies who comes to Stepping Hill to see patients who are having chemotherapy. Both patients and clinical staff agree that being treated near to home is the popular option.

Ann Coffey commended all the staff at the unit, saying:

"The atmosphere in the unit is so calm and friendly. I can really understand why patients prefer to come to the Laurel Suite to have chemotherapy, as the team effort in this small unit is outstanding. Everyone works together to ensure patients always have someone on hand to listen to them, and there is a really personal service. It's especially good to know that recovery rates for cancer are improving all the time: the nursing staff are so delighted when patients come back to see them when they are free of cancer."