Oncology Unit marks 20 years of service
Thomas Lyons
The conference room of Cavan General hospital was abuzz with chat as a group of people, who have made an immeasurable difference to the lives of many, gathered together to mark a milestone.
For the last two decades, the nurse-led Medical Oncology Unit at CGH has established a reputation of dedication in the delivery chemotherapy, non-surgical treatment for cancer and supportive care.
“I clearly remember one of the first patients we treated in the unit was from the area I live in. Only this week I saw them and they are going great. It reminded me of the importance of what we do,” clinical nurse specialist Claire Smith said in her address to the gathering.
Friday’s gathering was to mark the 20-year anniversary of the service. CGH celebrated 30 years in existence last June of this year, but last week was all about the oncology service.
The anniversary celebration brought together past patients, well-wishers and hospital staff to acknowledge the achievement of the last two decades.
Presiding over the gathering, the general manager of Cavan General Hospital, David Lynch, explained why the service commanded such respect: “We all know someone who has come through the doors of the Oncology Unit. They may have been friends, family, even other hospital staff members. It’s that connection that makes people so emotional when they speak of the service.”
Mr Lynch said that the Medical Oncology Unit connects the local community to the hospital in a special way. In introducing Professor John McCaffrey, he told how the Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital established a Nurse-led Medical Oncology Unit as a satellite to the Mater campus.
Professor McCaffrey said the Unit has an enviable reputation: “It is based on kindness, expertise and professionalism. By connecting to the target patients, it allows them access speciality care on their doorstep. I have always been humbled by the people’s faith in what we do, and the kindness they show to us.”
The professor noted the attendance of a patient he treated 20 years ago at the anniversary celebration. He also spoke of his family’s links with Cavan. His grandfather served as an RIC member stationed in Stradone and Professor McCaffrey mentioned his father’s pride father when he received his Cavan appointment. He concluded by wishing the service all the best for the next 20 years.
Next to speak was Dr Jerome Coffey. Dr Coffey is the Radiation Oncologist at Cavan General Hospital, consultant at Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, and a director of the National Cancer Control Programme.
Dr Coffey said the nursing staff are the most important part of the service: “Performances here is one of the best in the country. There has been a massive improvement in the survival rates of seven cancers in the last 20 years. We have done a great job.”
He concluded by thanking all who supported the service over the last two decades. In her address Rosin Daly, the Chief Pharmacist at Cavan Monaghan Hospital Pharmacy Department noted how patient focused the nursing staff are and identified this as the reason for its high standing in the local community. She gave an overview of the invaluable work that the pharma team undertake in the treatment programme. Ms Daly said that there was “something special” in Cavan General hospital and this was exemplified in the oncology unit.
Dr Paulo Pinheiro, the Consultant Physician at Cavan General Hospital, also referred to the standing the unit has in the community. He said this was based on the staff’s “commitment to making difference to patients and their families”.
In her address the Clinical Nurse Specialist, Claire Smith, sketched over the progress of the unit in the last two decades. The nurse led unit has evolved from one clinic per week where it guides patients from the first consultations through treatment.
Claire said: “We are a very close team. Only two nurses have left in 20 years, one retired and one moved to be closer to home.
“We have a lot of experience and it has been a privilege to guide patients through treatment.”
The Oncology Unit’s place within CGH was spoke of by Dr Ann Fortune: “What a great hospital this is. The care and support is very much appreciated by the patients and families. The layers of service that are provided from labs to medical surgical teams all go toward assisting the patient.”
Consultant Dalia Kamel said she was proud to be part of the team.
The final speaker Margaret Gilmartin said: “This is a dedicated unit, but all of the hospital is part of the cancer care from the Emergency Room where some of the patients first present to the pharmacy and labs. We hope and strive to keep the standards we have achieved.”
When it was established in 1999, the unit dealt with 170 cases and has expanded significantly in the last two decades with patients from Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Meath, Westmeath and Longford, all presenting for treatment.