A newly-refurbished inpatient unit for the specialist treatment of cancer has welcomed its first patients at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. 

Ward 11b, which cares for patients requiring non-surgical oncology treatment, opened its doors to patients on Tuesday 7th May, marking a partnership arrangement with The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust (MYTT).

The non-surgical oncology (NSO) programme, delivered by WYAAT and the West Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, has redesigned NSO services to better meet the needs of patients across West Yorkshire and Harrogate. Both Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) and MYTT now work together to provide NSO services across what is now known as the South Sector region.

The North sector region, in comparison, covers the geographical area of the four remaining WYAAT trusts: Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.The new beds and assessment units at HRI will be used for CHFT and MYTT patients who need to be admitted under their consultant, for care for their cancer treatment.

Chris Lord-Tyrer, Matron for Cancer Services at CHFT, said: “It’s so exciting to see how the NSO service has grown. I’m so proud of how teams from across both CHFT and MYTT have come together to work as one team, building relationships to make the service better for patients. It’s phenomenal.”

CHFT’s Charity has donated £35,000 to fund the finishing touches and a few home comforts on the ward.

Emma Kovaleski, CHFT’s Charity Manager, said: “Donations kindly given to our cancer services fund have been used to provide equipment which allows patients to be reviewed directly on the assessment unit, rather than needing to move to different areas of the hospital.”

Dr Sal Uka, WYAAT Medical Lead, said: “The NSO programme is a fantastic example of collaborative working at its finest. WYAAT strives to create consistent, integrated, and sustainable services for patients and this new ward ticks all three boxes - providing more streamlined care to cancer patients across the South Sector.”

For more information about the NSO Programme, visit the NSO website.