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First UHNM patient to be treated at North Staffordshire Nuffield Hospital praises care

The first University Hospital of North Midlands patient to be treated at North Staffordshire Nuffield Hospital has praised staff for the care she received. UHNM has moved some cancer services to independent sector facilities as part of measures to ensure patients can continue to receive treatment during the Coronavirus outbreak. Patients are cared for by UHNM nursing, medical, pharmacy and support staff.

71-year-old Linda Noon underwent urgent surgery for breast cancer at the Nuffield Hospital after she diagnosed following a mammogram just a few weeks ago.

Wherever appropriate, patients in need of urgent surgery will be treated within the local independent sector as part of the government’s Covid-19 strategy to release staff and facilities for NHS services during the outbreak.

Mrs Noon, of Fegg Hayes, Tunstall. said: “Everyone that cared for me was absolutely lovely, from the nurses to the kitchen staff. I didn’t feel nervous about going to the Nuffield, it was very clean and everyone was wearing personal protective equipment. This has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for me because my diagnosis and treatment have all happened very quickly, but I couldn’t fault the care I have received. I’m still waiting for results to come back and am really just looking forward to feeling better and getting back to doing the things I love.”

Mrs Noon, who underwent a segmentectomy to remove the affected area of her breast, is a keen gardener and also enjoys crafting and sewing. She has now started helping NHS staff by making laundry bags for scrubs and ear protectors to help with any discomfort caused by wearing PPE.

All inpatients currently on Ward 201 in the Cancer Centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital have been relocated to the Nuffield. The Cancer Centre Emergency Assessment Unit has been relocated to the Nuffield and Day Case Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy will continue at the Cancer Centre at Royal Stoke.

UHNM has also now begun to perform bladder cancer procedures at Rowley Hall Hospital in Stafford.

Beryl Woodall, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, said: “We want to ensure we continue to give the best care to patients in the most appropriate setting and our clinical teams at UHNM have been working with staff from the Nuffield to prioritise patients who are eligible for treatment there. We would like to thank all of the teams involved for their support with this joint venture, which really demonstrates the value of collaborative working in these challenging times.”

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