News

People who need transfusions, infusions, blood monitoring and regular line care can access treatment within the community. This saves unnecessary long travel; parking fees and acute hospital waits.

Falmouth Community Hospital Day Unit provides care and a range of clinics to people in Falmouth and the surrounding areas. It has a monthly caseload of around 108 patients.

This is broken down into:

• 35 patients who attend for blood transfusions
• 13 patients who attend for immunoglobulin infusions
• 25 patients who attend for bone protection infusions, or iron infusions
• 35 patients who attend for regular line or central venous catheter care

Falmouth Day Unit is the largest provider of transfusions in Cornwall besides the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Most patients are referred to the unit by clinicians at Treliske, but patients can ask to be referred to the day unit for their treatment. They can also self-refer for management of their venous lines.

Patients receiving cancer treatment can attend Falmouth Day Unit for their pre-chemotherapy blood tests and to have their chemotherapy pumps removed at the end of their treatment.

Valerie Vivian lives in Camborne and visits Falmouth Day Unit every 3 weeks for an infusion to boost her immune system.

Valerie has hypogammaglobulinemia which means she has a quarter of her immune system and cannot fight infections. She has had the condition for 29 years and will need infusions for the rest of her life.

"When I was first diagnosed, I had to have treatment at Derriford Hospital, and then at Treliske. Treatment used to last 2 days every other week which meant an overnight hospital stay", explains Valerie.

"Eventually, Treliske were no longer able to provide my infusion, so I was referred to Falmouth Community Hospital. Treatment times have improved and I now only come to Falmouth for a few hours every 3 weeks."

Valerie has been receiving treatment at Falmouth Day Unit for 4 years. She continues:

"It does not take long to drive here from Camborne and it is a lovely quiet hospital. It feels as if there is more space and there are gorgeous sea views. I feel relaxed here and the staff are lovely and welcoming.

"The community hospital makes such a difference to my treatment. My treatment is indefinite and I am happy to come back to Falmouth each month. I cannot complain about a thing."

The day unit is designed to look after 4 patients at any one time. Patients are given a comfortable reclining chair to sit in during their treatment and are offered drinks and biscuits, or an option to order lunch.

Receiving day care closer to home and enabling patients to return to their own beds is in line with the NHS 10 Year Plan. The Trust is looking at options to expand more provision like this.

Simon is another Falmouth Day Unit patient and lives in south Cornwall. He has incurable bone marrow cancer and needs frequent blood transfusions every 3 weeks.

When Simon was first diagnosed, he visited Penzance for blood transfusions. His consultant changed his appointments to Falmouth Community Hospital to keep his treatment closer to home.

Simon explains: "Coming to Falmouth saves me valuable time. The roads are quicker and the free parking is a bonus. I must have a blood test before my transfusion to see what blood and how much I need. I can come to the hospital, have my appointment and be back home within an hour. It is very convenient.

"I have been coming to Falmouth hospital for a long time. The team are compassionate and caring. They are brilliant. They make a positive difference to an otherwise challenging time. I cannot thank them enough."

Hayley Austin is the clinical lead for Falmouth Day Unit and outpatients. She comments:

"Our day unit is a busy, but friendly place for patients to receive their treatments closer to home.

"Patient care and comfort are our highest priority. We pride ourselves in providing this to all our visitors, whilst maintaining a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where the kettle is always on. That is why patients request to return and have their treatment with us."

Watch Hayley's interview:

Watch Valerie's interview: