By JO HARRISON
CLINICAL nurse consultant in the oncology unit of the Armidale Hospital, Pam Pateman, gave members of the Kellys Plains/Dangarsleigh CWA valuable insight into how funds raised locally were used to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families.
During the special morning tea last week Pam spoke about the future direction of the oncology unit and the new services that will be available with the completion of the new $6.7 million ambulatory care and chemotherapy centre currently under construction on the grounds of the Armidale Hospital.
“We will have a purpose-built oncology day unit that will be on the ground floor of the new building and an extension of services increasing our chair capacity from six to eight chairs,” she said.
“Our existing premises are very cramped and this will enable people to have their treatment with ample space for an accompanying person.”
She also discussed how local donations stay local and help in ways that government funding cannot.
“We are well-funded by the government but it is the personal little things that donations to the unit make,” Pam said.
“Donations to the unit stay with the unit and it is those things that can make what is a strong basic service enhanced, making it more comfortable for the patients and their visitors.”
