Cancer patients at Barnsley Hospital can now enjoy a free relaxing massage after their chemotherapy treatment thanks to the work of a local cancer support group.

Barnsley Cancer Aftercare has been tirelessly fundraising to secure the services of a dedicated complementary therapist on Barnsley Hospital’s chemotherapy unit and in August this year local therapist Kate Cadwell was appointed.  In conjunction with Barnsley Cancer Aftercare, NHS Barnsley have agreed to continue funding the service for the future.  Kate works on the unit three days a week and offers a range of therapies to patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

“I’m delighted to have been chosen to provide such a special and personal service here at Barnsley Hospital,” explains Kate.  “Therapies such as massage and acupressure are deeply relaxing and can really help patients to feel better after their chemo treatment, however, it is not usually a service offered to patients when they’re at hospital.”

Barnsley Hospital’s haematology clinical nurse specialist, Susan Brown said: “I am thrilled Kate has joined us to run the service which is already proving a real hit with our patients.  Coming into hospital and having chemotherapy, on top of having the cancer itself, can make patients very anxious, not to mention the side effects that can be experienced from the chemotherapy treatments.  Complementary therapies have been proven to significantly reduce the discomfort felt after treatment and help the patient relax.  The service at Barnsley Hospital is unique as Kate can treat our patients to a massage before they go home.”

Barnsley Cancer Aftercare organiser, Nicola Haycock concluded: “It is great to see our hard work has paid off and that every cancer patient will be able to benefit from this free service as part of their treatment in hospital.  Traditionally, people had to find and pay for their own complementary therapies unless they could get an appointment at the local hospice but now the treatments will be available as a matter of course.”

Ends
Date issued:18 December 2008

Kara Dudley
Communications
Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust