General Information

The foundation trust provides an outpatient, inpatient and day care specialist oncology service. The outpatient department is situated in Outpatients West at Bradford Royal Infirmary, level one and the ward and day care unit are located at level three at Bradford Royal Infirmary (ward 15). The department treats cancers such as breast, lung, colorectal (bowel), upper gastrointestinal (digestive system), gynaecology (female reproductive organs) and urology. 

The Ward

Ward 15 is a 18-bedded adult medical oncology ward, with a day care unit. The ward is made up of four single side rooms, three-bedded bays and two four-bedded bays.

The nursing team is made up of a ward manager, one ward sister, 13 staff nurses and 5 healthcare assistants.

The nurses in the ward and in the day care unit are trained and skilled in providing specialist chemotherapy treatments and the administration of intravenous (by the veins) and oral chemotherapy.

The medical team comprises of six consultants, one specialist registrar and a number of doctors in specialist training (who all provide day- to-day medical care for patients.

Visiting times are 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm daily.  Visitors are requested to keep to a maximum of two visitors per patient at any one time. Children can visit at the discretion of the ward sister or nurse in charge.

Ward 15 Day Unit

The chemotherapy day unit is staffed by specially trained chemotherapy sisters, a clinical nurse specialist and a healthcare assistant. There is also a small team of volunteers who come in to help prepare drinks for patients and relatives. Nurses from the ward can also be seen working in the day unit on occasions.

Before chemotherapy is given, an assessment and blood tests are performed – the assessment process is to make sure that patients understand their planned treatment and blood tests to check the blood levels are in the required limits. Patients would have previously been given information leaflets on their chemotherapy treatment, at the outpatient appointment and this is an opportunity for patients to receive answers to any questions arising from their appointment or from reading the leaflets. 

Not all chemotherapy regimes are the same, some can be taken in tablet form, some are administered through a small vein in the back of the hand and some through a special line placed in the arm called a peripherally inserted catheter (PICC) for short. 

The length of time it takes to administer the chemotherapy also varies, some can take 30 minutes whilst some treatments need to be given as an inpatient on the ward because of complexities associated with this.

A (PICC) line is sometimes used when a patient’s veins are difficult to access but it is mostly used when the chemotherapy is slowly infused from an ‘infusor’ usually over 48hrs, four days or seven days. By using PICC, patients can go home during this time and receive their treatment. The district nurse becomes involved in the patients care as they go to visit to remove and dispose of the ‘infusor’ safely and ‘flush’ the PICC using saline to keep this clear and apply a sterile dressing, leaving it ready for the next visit to the hospital.

We are working to introduce a service so that some patients can receive their chemotherapy at home.

Ward 15 Services 

Aromatherapy – The aromatherapist visits the ward during an afternoon and an early evening.  They do not have set times, but if patients wish to have a hand or foot massage, they need to inform the nurses so this can be arranged. 

Spiritual Care – If a patient wishes to speak to any member of the spiritual care team from any religion or denomination, they only need to ask the nurses.  If a patient wishes to make their own arrangements for their own minister to visit, they can do so or ask one of the nurses. Each Sunday morning the chaplaincy organises an inter-denomination service which patients are also welcome to attend. 

Finance and Benefits – If patients require information on benefits of help in claiming benefits, we can refer them to the Cancer Support Centre, Daisy Bank, who will try to visit patients on the ward or phone them and visit them at home.

Counselling – Many people find it difficult to talk to those closest to them during their illness. In some cases, talking to doctors, nurses or other patients can be helpful but many feel the need to talk to someone else. You do not have to be a patient to talk to the counselling team - relatives often need someone to talk to as well. This can be arranged through the nurses on the ward.

Palliative Care – The palliative care team are frequently called upon by the nursing and medical staff to provide extra help and advice with particular problems for example pain control. They are also there to support patients and their families emotionally and are available at all points of a patient’s illness.

Wig Referral – If patients are receiving treatment which may make them lose their hair, arrangements will be made for them to receive a wig. This service is provided for free. 

How to Access the Service

Patients can be seen on the ward or in clinic, following referral by their own doctor or by themselves if currently receiving treatment and are known to the team.

Further Information

Please click on the links below for more details

Our Staff

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