Northern Trust reflects on 25 years of chemotherapy services

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is celebrating a special milestone as it reflects on 25 years of chemotherapy services.

The first patients were treated in Fern House at Antrim Area Hospital in 1999, supported by a small team of specialist staff.

Since those early days, the service has gone on to make a huge difference to many people living with cancer and blood disorders.

Kirsty McKay has been a part of the team since the beginning, and she continues to work as a Macmillan Oncology Nurse Practitioner.

She said: “As a nurse within chemotherapy services we’ve seen great advances in treatment over the years. We started out with four or five regimes for our colorectal patients whereas now there’s maybe 25 and that’s the same for our breast, lung, prostate and haematology patients, so we’ve seen our numbers grow quite considerably.”

“It’s lovely when you walk down the street and someone says hello and tells me that I looked after them – that gives you a great sense of achievement. Patients’ families are very appreciative of the time we have spent with them and the treatment they’ve received, and I do feel a great sense of pride at having been here since the start.”

Rebecca Getty, Assistant Director Diagnostics and Clinical Services, said: “The anniversary has given us an opportunity to recognise all that has been achieved over the past 25 years.

“We owe so much to the staff who established the service back in 1999, and our growth and development since then is all thanks to their vision.

“The dedication, expertise and care of our Team North staff has been central to the service and I want to pay tribute to everyone who has been a part of our journey so far.

“Chemotherapy can be a daunting prospect for our patients but we will continue to do all we can to support those in our care and ensure they receive the best possible experience.”

One of the service’s biggest changes came in 2005 with the opening of Laurel House on the Antrim Area Hospital site.

It provides a purpose-built outpatient service and day unit for the delivery of chemotherapy and other treatments for those with cancer and haematology conditions, often seeing more than 30 patients every day.

While the service has experienced many developments through the years, the provision of compassionate care, and looking after people at their most vulnerable, remains at the heart of what it does.

Robert McGaughey from Broughshane is one of those who has experienced this care first-hand.

Diagnosed with the recurring blood cancer multiple myeloma in 2007, he continues to undergo regular monitoring and review.

He said: “I have to commend the staff for not just the treatment they provide but also for the support they offer for your mental wellbeing; they were exceptional in that way, building up your confidence again. You build up a real personal connection with staff and I found that really beneficial. Cancer can be a lonely journey but you come here and you get a lot of support. All you have to do is lift the phone if there are times when things aren’t going as well as they should.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17th October 2024