Improving services for patients with cancer
Your donations help fund specialist care, state-of-the-art equipment, and groundbreaking research in cancer care at our hospitals
Our hospitals treat cancer patients from all over the boroughs of Barking, Havering, Redbridge and Dagenham. Serving one of the largest populations of any acute trust in the UK, we look after more than 5,000 cancer patients a year, as well as providing facilities for their loved ones.
What our amazing supporters have already helped fund:
AccuVein devices
We have funded several Accuvein devices for cancer patients in our Sunflower Suite. These clever machines detect veins via infrared, helping to insert cannulas at the first attempt, which is much better for patients and saves staff time.
The device is small enough to hold in the hand or put in your pocket. It can be attached to a bed, table, chair or set on its own so the user has both hands free to start the IV. It’s easy to use as it runs on a battery and the room doesn’t need to be darkened to use it. It is also portable so can be brought to the patient’s side.
Robotic surgery
Our largest purchase The da Vinci robot which has revolutionised surgical cancer procedures for King George and Queen’s Hospitals and helped save hundreds of lives for now and in the future. The robotic surgical system can perform complex operations on many forms of cancer and cost 1.675 million pounds!
Refurbishments
Because of the nature of the disease and the way it is treated, patients and their families spend long hours within the department. In order to improve their experience at such a difficult time, it was decided to refurbish the four main areas which would benefit most patients.
These were the radiotherapy waiting room, Macmillan cancer information centre, oncology reception and the chemotherapy waiting room.
Complementary Therapy Service
We offer a selection of complementary therapies to our cancer patients. The room is a place for patients to relax and receive treatment to help ease anxiety as they journey with cancer. We have provided massage oils, salts, radios and furnishing for the room to help keep the ambience nice and relaxing.
Therapies offered include:
- Aromatherapy
- Therapeutic massage
- Indian head massage
- Reflexology
- Bach flower remedies
Services like this would not be possible without the kindness and support of our community.
Other ways we support cancer services
- Cancer Haircare UK workshop for cancer patients dealing with hair loss
- Lightboxes in oncology
- Televisions and radios to help boost mental wellbeing and elevate moods
- Bladder scanning machines to improve patient comfort and minimize delays in patient treatments
- Cold caps - a hat worn during some chemotherapy sessions. It works by cooling the scalp to reduce blood flow. This in turn limits the chemotherapy medication reaching the scalp, effectively minimising hair loss.
Maria Souglais' story
Maria Sgouralis was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphoma cancer in September 2022. Since then, she has been bravely battling her illness and has undergone several chemotherapy sessions in our Sunflower Suite at Queen’s Hospital. Maria’s life was turned upside down suddenly when she found out her diagnosis. She was a primary school teacher in Essex, which she thoroughly enjoyed but after her diagnosis, could no longer do the job she loved.
Maria said: “Instead of reading time and colouring, I had antiseptic hospital rooms and painful chemotherapy treatment.”
Although Maria has a long road to recovery, she has shown courage and strength to fight her illness, and this was helped by the amazing care and support she received from staff in our Sunflower Suite and Oncology department.
She added: “The staff have been absolutely wonderful, such high-quality care and I couldn’t have wished for anything better.”
Maria successfully raised funds through a JustGiving page, and also received an additional donation from Wanstead & Woodford Lions Club, of which she is a member. Maria, along with her family and the President and Zone Chair of Wanstead & Woodford Lions Club, presented a generous donation of £4,500 to our charity and the Sunflower Suite team on Tuesday 25th April. Maria proudly rang the End of Treatment Bell, marking the end of her chemotherapy treatment, surrounded by her loved ones and the team who provided her with care.
Help us to improve cancer services
With your help we can improve cancer services for patients both now and in the future.
See other ways we are making hospitals even better
Improving children services
Enhancing the facilities for critical care patients
Caring for our elderly patients
Supporting our vital emergency departments