Joe McElderry opens unit at Freeman Hospital
On Thursday 7 June Joe McElderry opened the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
Teenage Cancer Trust ambassador Joe McElderry officially opened Teenage Cancer Trust’s new state-of-the-art unit at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.
The £220,000 unit opened to patients earlier this year and will provide care for 18 to 24 year olds with cancer from across the North East and Cumbria. It complements the charity’s existing unit at the Great North Children’s hospital for 13-19 year olds. Young people aged 13-24 diagnosed with cancer in the North East now have access to specialist services.
The new unit in Newcastle includes seven inpatient beds and will provide a home from home for many young people and their families. Unlike ‘ordinary’ hospital wards, it has a kitchen, pool table and a recreational area including a digital jukebox and access to media facilities such as the internet, TV and music. The charity has also provided a further en-suite room on Ward 33 for patients who are in isolation after receiving a bone marrow transplant.
Speaking at the event, Joe said: “Teenage Cancer Trust is an absolutely amazing charity. These units feel like home and really help to boost morale for the young people being treated here. Not only do they look great, but there is a real family atmosphere in the charity and I love that! I’m so proud to have been asked to open this spectacular new unit today and have thoroughly enjoyed looking around and meeting the inspiring young people that are already benefiting from this great service.”
Dave Shaw, Deputy Director of Services at Teenage Cancer Trust, “We are incredibly excited to see the unit up and running and are confident that our patients, their families and unit staff will benefit from the specialist support and care it provides. I would like to say a huge thank you to the Hospital and to everyone who has been involved in supporting Teenage Cancer Trust locally over the last few years.”
Sir Leonard Fenwick, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive said: “This is a tremendous boost in providing support and facilities for young people. The contribution is much appreciated by everyone.”
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