A new cancer unit for teenagers is up and running after being officially opened by Inbetweeners star Simon Bird.
The new £250,000 unit at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, in Guildford, provides teenage cancer patients with four rooms geared towards their age group where they can receive their chemotherapy, blood transfusions or any other oncology treatment and care they need.
Patient Jack Summerfield explained: “It is a lot more appropriate for teenagers than the old suite. It has got Xboxes and PlayStations and Plasma TVs.
“It does look good and it is better than having children’s designs on the walls.”
Dr Mike Ryall, head consultant of paediatric oncology, said: “It will make a big difference to them because up until now, there has not been anywhere for them to go.
“Many of the teenagers were being looked after in adult wards or having to go into central London.
“Now they can be near their families in an environment they will appreciate.”
The new unit was designed after consultation with a focus group of teenagers.
Donna Bird, lead nurse for paediatric oncology, explained: “We had to find out what they wanted from a unit because that was really important to us.
“We have managed to put into the rooms what they have asked for.”
The unit is for 13-19 year-olds and is based on the Hascombe Children’s Ward, situated next to the adult oncology ward.
The Royal Surrey County Hospital Charitable Fund gave £180,000 towards the cost of the unit and £70,000 was provided by the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.