A day facility for oncology patients was officially opened at Noble’s Hospital at the weekend.

The Eric and Marion Scott Oncology Unit serves patients who come to hospital for cancer therapy treatment and those attending specialist consultant clinics.

Based in the former Noble’s Ward 5, the conversion, refurbishment and equipping of the unit has been funded through charitable donations from the Eric and Marion Scott Trust and the Noble’s Hospital Equipment Trust.

Patients have actually been using the unit since July.

The facility replaces one on the Noble’s estate, which was separate from the main hospital building.

It provides almost double the number of treatment stations for day patients than before, including four special chairs for haemato-oncology patients, those being treated for blood cancers.

A car park and direct entrance to the unit are integral to the design, to ensure patients receiving treatment for cancer can come and go swiftly and discreetly.

Those attending oncology clinic appointments still use the main Noble’s entrance and once in the unit are shown straight into the clinic area where they’ll find a comfortable waiting room and two purpose-built oncology consultancy suites.

The health service says that the decor, colour schemes and artwork within the unit have been selected to provide an appropriate calming atmosphere and more artwork will be going on display over the coming weeks, including images donated by local artists, photographic societies and patients.

At Saturday’s opening ceremony, Health Minister David Ashford MHK said: ’I’m delighted and honoured to perform the official opening of this superb new facility, which will greatly enhance the experience of island patients.

’The vision we shared with the Eric and Marion Scott Trust to bring together oncology services at Noble’s under one roof has now been realised, and we thank the trust and donors for their generosity.

’The new unit has been designed with the needs and sensitivities of patients very much in mind and a number of features have been incorporated in response to their suggestions. We can be very proud of what has been created.’

Senior sister, chemotherapy, Jane Gaunt said: ’All the comments we’ve had so far from patients, visitors and colleagues alike have been extremely positive.

’Having oncology facilities in one place within the main hospital is proving a big advantage. It’s clear that the new unit is already giving a simpler, more comfortable patient journey in a welcoming, calm and professional atmosphere.’