THE chemotherapy unit at Basingstoke's hospital will undergo a refurbishment to create a state-of-the-art facility thanks to a huge grant. 

The Ark Cancer Charity has been awarded £500,000 for a much-needed refurbishment of the chemotherapy unit at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.

The funding has been awarded by the Greenham Trust, which aims to support local charities and organisations for the benefit of the people in West Berkshire and North Hampshire.

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The refurb will see the unit be known as the Greenham Trust wing and will create a “pleasant and welcoming environment for people receiving treatment” and will enable Ark Cancer Charity to deliver complementary services for cancer patients in the chemotherapy building as well as in their wellbeing centre, also located on the hospital campus.

Myrddin Rees, trustee of Ark Cancer Charity, said: “We are delighted that Greenham Trust has provided the Ark Cancer Charity with this incredibly generous matched funding, further bolstering the amazing fundraising efforts of our loyal supporters. 

“This development stands as one of the most remarkable milestones in our fundraising journey that is designed to improve the wellbeing of all cancer patients in North Hampshire.

“The allocated funds will be used to convert and uplift the Rainbow Chemotherapy Unit, in Basingstoke, into a Five Star facility that will enhance the experience of our cancer patients – a facility that over the next decade will support over 50,000 attendees. A massive thank you on their behalf to Greenham Trust.”

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The trust has also granted the Pelican Cancer Foundation £50,000 towards the cost of educational courses designed to advance the skills of surgeons and their teams in the treatment of colorectal cancer in West Berkshire and North Hampshire.

The foundation will deliver courses between June 2023 and March 2024 to support the education of medical professionals to advance their skills. The courses will help patients with bowel cancer have a better chance of living well for longer.

Chris Boulton, chief executive of Greenham Trust, said: “We are delighted to award these two substantial grants to support and enhance cancer care in our community. This will help ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care in a comfortable and healing environment as well as improve outcomes for those being treated. These grants exemplify our ongoing commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by cancer."