The Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust has recently purchased a portable Ultrasound machine for the Eric and Marion Scott Chemotherapy Unit at Noble’s Hospital, a facility which opened in 2019. This provides weekday treatment and care for cancer patients, under the remote supervision of Oncologists from the north west of England, allowing patients to receive their scheduled drug treatments on-Island, as well as providing a capability to manage any acute problems that may arise during their on-going care.
As many of the patients have comprised immunity, the Unit has its own entrance, separate from A&E and the main hospital, minimising contact with others in a busy hospital setting.
Chemotherapy treatment is usually administered intravenously through a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PIC line) – a catheter inserted through a small vein in the arm into a large central vein in the chest. The new Ultrasound machine allows the practitioner to see exactly where the line is going, aiding its correct positioning, without the need for the patient to go to the Radiology Department or Staff having to borrow a machine.
Such lines typically remain in place for several months, assisting smooth administration of the various drug treatments each patient requires. During treatment, problems may arise with the line, or other symptoms develop from the tumour itself, such as a build-up of fluid in the chest and abdomen, with the ultrasound machine helping to locate any such problems, and facilitate treatment on the Unit.
Senior Sister on the Unit, Christine Ecolango, said: ‘It will make a huge difference.’
Acute Oncology Nurse Consultant, Markie Chestnut, explained: ‘The new ultrasound machine allows us to maintain elective clinics in acute oncology for chest and abdominal drainage, assisting patients to remain at home and symptomatically well.’
‘It also assists with difficult venous access, allowing the oncology team treating patients to visualise vessels prior to access and subsequent correct placement within a central vein using the ultrasound – meaning we can successfully place a catheter into a large vein in the central chest for systemic anti-cancer therapies. This ensures a smoother treatment journey for patients and keeps treatments on their prescribed schedule.’
Malcolm Clague from the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust said: ‘The Trustees of the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust recognise the dedication of the Oncology team towards the patients they treat and were pleased to provide a grant of £35,000 to purchase the machine and train three members of Staff in its use. An Ultrasound machine that is solely dedicated for use within the Chemotherapy Unit both enhances the role of the Staff in caring for their patients as well as leading to better treatment of patients through improved compliance of timing of treatment regimes, resulting in better management and outcomes for Island residents affected by cancer.’
