AIREDALE NHS Foundation Trust has launched their latest mobile cancer unit – adding to its fleet, taking cancer care and treatments to the patient in Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven five days a week.

The Next Generation unit, provided by the charity Hope for Tomorrow, is a state-of-the-art fully mobile medical cancer care unit which revolutionises the way cancer care is delivered. A new feature is the hydraulic sides - which move out to provide two clinic rooms, so providing a larger unit.

It will visit communities to provide accessible clinics as well as cancer treatments including chemotherapy. Staffed by specialist oncology nursing teams and pharmacists the unit will allow cancer services to be delivered in the heart of the local community in venues including Ilkley.

Moving cancer care closer to patients has proven benefits as the reduced travel and waiting times can lower stress and anxiety levels for patients. The unit will be used for clinics that are already in place but will now have them in the community, so patients can incorporate their appointments into their lives.

The trust received its first unit Hope for Tomorrow in 2018 and had the use of an additional unit during the pandemic so vulnerable patients didn’t always need to come into hospital and they have both been a great success.

Pat Dyminksi, lead clinical nurse specialist for haematology, oncology and chemotherapy at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said: “We received our very first mobile unit three years ago today and it has had a huge impact on patients. For me, the most important thing when setting these up was that patients would feel as safe in the mobile units as they do in hospital.

“It was a vision to begin with, but it has been extremely successful and now three years on we are here using the units to their maximum potential. If you’ve got the clinic space, the needs of patients and staff availability then the sky is the limit with what we can expand this to.”

Sheenagh Stapleton who lives near Settle was having to make a 40 mile round trip to receive treatment, but the Mobile Cancer Unit brought treatment closer to home. She cut the ribbon at the launch event.

Brendan Brown, Chief Executive at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust added:“We are immensely proud to launch this new unit which takes cancer care and treatment into the very heart of our communities. We would like to thank Hope for Tomorrow for their fantastic support in making this a reality for our patients and staff. It has already had such an impact on our patients and this additional unit will progress our vision of care for the future.”

The launch was attended by Trevor Wilson who in August organised a second charity golf day at Ilkley Golf Club in support of Hope For Tomorrow. Trevor wanted to support the cause after undergoing cancer treatment at Airedale Hospital two years ago. The Golf Day was a huge success raising £11,000.