A cancer patient has described the benefits of a new initiative at Jersey General Hospital providing direct access to medication – which was introduced ahead of World Cancer Day today.
Islanders undergoing cancer treatment are now able to obtain their anti-sickness drugs directly from the Oncology Department rather than waiting for prescriptions to be processed by the Hospital Pharmacy.
Sue Letherbarrow, who has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer for the past two years, said the scheme had made a significant positive difference.
“The pharmacy always seems very busy and if you can take a bit of the pressure away from there, it’s invaluable,” she said.
“Sometimes the wait could be several hours, which wasn’t great if you weren’t feeling well.”
Consultant Oncologist Dr Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos admitted the previous system had not been ideal.
She said: “The pharmacy has been under pressure, and even urgent cases would involve an hour’s wait.
“We are looking to improve the patient experience and have looked at ideas from elsewhere as to how we could do this.”
Unit Manager Rachel Conway added: “One of the biggest complaints we had from patients was about the additional time they had to spend here waiting for medication.
“People are already spending quite a lot of time here, and once their treatment finished they want to be able to get away and get on with their lives as much as possible.”
The scheme has also freed up space in the department due to the lack of waiting, and benefited those patients who are immunosuppressed and worried about using general waiting areas adjacent to the library.
The scheme includes new measures to ensure the importation and distribution of drugs are carried out in line with regulations governing this area.
Mrs Letherbarrow paid tribute to a “fantastic service” from the staff in the Oncology Department.
“It’s not the most pleasant experience to be having cancer treatment, but the logistics here work really well and they make you very welcome and comfortable,” she said.
The establishment of the scheme coincides with World Cancer Day today.
As part of the awareness day, an open event will take place at Jersey Library from 10:00.
A Q&A session with Dr Gomes Dos Santos and other experts will take place from 14:00 to 15:00.