Weston Park Hospital sister shares her memories

Sarah is just one of a number of members of staff who we have spoken to find out about their work, daily life and with it its up and downs at the hsopital which is celebratin g its 50th birthday this year.

Also turn to the adjo ining story and to page 5 for more case studies from members of the hospital team.

Sarah had the following to say:

I knew what to expect as I had completed my final management placement here on what was then Ward 4.

I loved it!

The staff, the patients and the hospital itself all made me feel that I had found the job for me.

I found oncology really interesting and loved the idea of working in a hospital dedicated to this speciality.

Weston Park has always had a special feel to it.

I don’t think you would work within this challenging area unless you have a real passion for making a difference to the lives of people diagnosed with cancer.

There have been so many changes to the hospital in my time.

So many wonderful services have evolved into the excellent teams they are today.

In terms of the building the day case unit has changed almost beyond recognition from the tiny chemotherapy suite we had when I first came.

This shows the developments in our chemotherapy delivery which has allowed so many people to receive outpatient treatment and spend more valuable time at home.

Obviously the opening of the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit changed the experience of young people in hospital for the better and the wider Teenage and Young Adults with Cancer team are continually evolving in their service delivery to meet the needs of our younger patients.

Working with 16 to 25-year-olds diagnosed with cancer can be hugely challenging, yet I am constantly inspired by the way they deal with everything that is thrown at them.

The brain of a young person works very differently to an adults and I have learnt so much from working with them.

I’ve loved the years I’ve worked on the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit.

I’ve had some terribly sad times but also some truly lovely times but I feel completely privileged to have shared all these times with my wonderful patients.

I almost have too many memories to mention but some that particularly stand out include the many weddings we have facilitated on the unit as well as turning the unit into a beautiful dressing room for a terminally ill young girl to get ready to be a bridesmaid for her brother.

The bride and other bridesmaids all got ready together on the unit and the whole wedding party left from Weston Park.

We arranged a back stage meet and greet with a pop star for a patient who was in the last few days of life.

The many happy Xmas parties, carol concerts, breakfast clubs and more.

The young people who finished their treatment years ago popping back to say hi and letting us know how they are getting on.

The bereaved families still supporting the unit 5, 10, 15 years after they lost their child and hearing how despite it being the worst thing that could have ever happened to them have a sense of “coming home” when they come back to the unit.