Simon Bird Officially Opens New Teenage Cancer Unit at the Royal Surrey County Hospital

Actor Simon Bird officially opened the new Teenage Cancer Unit at the Royal Surrey County Hospital on Friday 2^nd December. 

The new unit is made up of four rooms based on the Hascombe Children’s Ward, situated next to the adult oncology ward.  The specialist unit is for 13 to 19 years olds to receive their chemotherapy, blood transfusions or any other oncology treatment and care they need. 

Robin Jago, Associate Director of Women’s and Children’s Services at the Royal Surrey, said; 

“This is the only shared care teenage cancer unit in the Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire area and one of only five in the whole of the South of England.  On average the Royal Surrey treats between two and five teenage cancer patients at any one time, so this unit will provide a welcomed facility where they can receive their care in private.” 

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In each individual room there is a bed, ensuite bathroom, flat screen TV, laptops, wifi and games consoles.  The unit also has a kitchen area for patients and their relatives. 

The new unit has cost over £250,000 to build, equip and furnish, with £180,000 coming from The Royal Surrey County Hospital Charitable Fund as a result of the generosity of many people who have supported children’s services over the past few years, including those that have specifically contributed to this important new initiative.  A further £70,000 has been provided by the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.  This demonstrates the way that charitable funds can significantly enhance NHS facilities. 

Nick Moberly, Chief Executive, said; 

 “The Trust is most grateful to all those who have given so generously to support our children’s services over the years and to those who gave specifically to the development of this new unit, many of whom we saw at the opening along with patients and their families. 

 “We are always in need of funds to enhance our ability to provide cutting edge care and the best possible experience to our patients.  We hope that the new facilities will transform the time spent in our hospital by young people with cancer and their families.” 

The opening took place at 3pm with the official ribbon cutting, followed by an afternoon tea for all of those involved to celebrate the opening of the new unit