Radiotherapy receives quality mark
The radiotherapy department at St Bartholomew’s Hospital has once again been awarded the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark for the excellent service it provides to cancer patients.
The scheme, which began in 2010, sets the standard for cancer facilities in the UK.
When awarding the mark, Macmillan not only consider the physical space that patients are treated in – known as the built environment – but also other important factors such as privacy and dignity, patient choice and control, and wellbeing.
In 2016, the service became the first in London to be given the distinction.
Assessors this year noted improvements to wayfinding, links to support services such as the Maggie’s Centre, the use of the latest research to shape treatment programmes and the quality of the patient feedback obtained over the last three years.
The assessors gave a maximum rating of five.
The rigorous assessment includes feedback from cancer patients who praised the welcoming and engaging attitude of staff.
One patient said: “They always smile and it runs like clockwork”, whilst another said: “They treat you like a human; it is a symbiotic relationship, and they really listen to you.”
Other comments included: “It is like being part of a family, they remember who you are” and: “However busy they are, they never pass that stress onto the patient”.
Head of radiotherapy Angela Baker said: "This is an excellent achievement which is the result of the outstanding work by all staff in radiotherapy.
"The reception staff, clinical oncologists, therapeutic radiographers and radiotherapy nurses work extremely hard to ensure safe and compassionate care and it is great to see the patient feedback, which is a testament to their hard work and dedication."
The service will be assessed again in 2025.