In today’s post our colleagues at Sandwell Cancer, Older People and Advocacy service tell us about their recent Local Cancer Champions Board visit:
At the start of 2016 we decided to liven up our Local Cancer Champions Board meeting and we invited our members to each make a pledge to the project. This could have included showing the OPAAL films at staff meetings, talking to colleagues about Sandwell Cancer Older People and Advocacy or writing a blog. Mr Paul Litchfield, the Cancer Information and Support Services Manager at The Patrick Room, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham invited us to bring our volunteers over to find out more about what’s on offer for cancer patients in Sandwell and Birmingham.
Eight of us made our way over by car and taxi and were very pleasantly surprised to find the fortnightly Queen Elizabeth Hospital Farmers Market was in full swing! What a delight for the eyes and feast for the belly! The first thing we smelt was delicious curry goat, rice and peas, a Caribbean favourite. We can only imagine the happiness someone would get if their visitors were to bring that up onto the ward at visiting time. There were delicious fresh fruit smoothies and juices, freshly baked breads and cakes, jams, chutneys and pickles, pies, pates, meats, cheeses, teas, veggie meals, cakes, wraps, snacks, deserts and both local and exotic fruits. Unfortunately we didn’t have time or we certainly would have spent a good hour wandering around.
Apparently there are always fruit and vegetables available for visitors and patients but this was an additional and amazing array of organic and homemade delicacies. Certainly just what the doctor ordered. We take our hats off to the organisers of this great market and I am sure we will be back.
Once inside the Cancer Centre we were greeted by Paul Litchfield who was our host for the day. He had arranged refreshments for us on arrival and took us up to one of the training rooms where he explained all about the new state of the art hospital and all the services run in and around.
The latter part of the session was taken up with case studies and some of Paul’s personal stories about his work. Having been in nursing for more years than he was willing to admit to he certainly kept us entertained and gave us all lots to think about in relation to how times have changed and what the future might hold. He also gave us some startling statistics and facts about cancer and specifically the Midlands area which has an increasingly diverse community.
The volunteers who have themselves had cancer were familiar with the setting and said it brought back many memories. Those who had not been before found it extremely interesting and useful. Paul extended his support to everyone and offered to be of assistance should any of our advocacy partnerships require his help and knowledge.
What a great day out with people who are really making a difference and a fantastic pledge of help from one of our very own champions Mr Paul Litchfield.
Further details about the Patrick Room, Cancer Information centre can be found on http://www.uhb.nhs.uk/patrick-room.htm
And details of the Farmers market (for all you foodies) can be found on www.uhb.nhs.uk/farmersmarket
Older People Living with Cancer 