World's first mobile cancer care unit gets refit

The world's first mobile cancer care unit has been updated to make treatment more accessible and to reduce pressure on hospital units.

The unit, named Helen, will travel across Gloucestershire from 15 April to come closer to patients who need life-saving care.

It was built in Yate and provided by the cancer care charity Hope for Tomorrow in partnership with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Tina Seymour, chief executive of Hope for Tomorrow, said: "This service saves patients time and money as well as reducing stress at this difficult time, making cancer care a that little bit easier."

Helen originally launched in 2007 as the world's first mobile cancer care unit, and has been replaced with a newly upgraded unit.

When starting chemotherapy or immunotherapy, patients begin their treatment at Cheltenham General Hospital.

They are then informed if they are eligible to receive subsequent treatments closer to where they need it on the mobile unit.

Based at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Helen also visits Cinderford, Stroud and Cirencester, providing cancer services to up to four patients at a time and supporting an average of 20 patients per day.

Over the past year alone more than 1,820 patient visits have taken place on board.

Professor Mark Pietroni, medical director at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We know that every minute counts for patients who are having cancer treatment and this service means they can spend less time travelling and waiting and more time focusing on their well being."

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