Cancer unit 'brighter, lighter' after £250k revamp

Claire Ling from Breast of Friends, one of the charities that contributed, was at the reopening

A £250,000 refurbishment of a cancer treatment centre paid for by charities and individual fundraisers has been completed.

Facilities at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in King's Lynn, Norfolk, were previously described by patients as "drab" and "dark".

The revamped unit now has new treatment beds, a kindness corner full of treats and gifts and a large floral mural.

Karon Strong, QEH's head of nursing for medicine, said it would be "life changing for staff and patients".

Karon Strong said a calm, supportive environment can help people cope with the demands of cancer treatment

The unit has been reorganised to allow more light in, create a spacious reception and provide more private spaces for patients.

Ms Strong added: "The clinical care when you are being treated for cancer is one of the most difficult things you'll ever go through.

"The last thing you need is to be sat in a drab environment which is not welcoming."

When the unit was opened in 2002 by Elizabeth II it was state of the art, but it had become tired and was in need of reorganisation.

The refurbishment was part funded by the hospitals own charity, Breast of Friends and the Paul Foot Leukemia Foundation.

But the biggest donation came from legendary local fundraiser Gavin English.

Mr English raised £116,500 for the hospital's charity after his wife was treated there for cancer.

He died in January 2024 at the age of 86, shortly before work on the refurbishment began.

But he was involved in the planning, even sitting with staff in the centre imagining what patients would need.

Ray English and Belinda Penkethman, the son and daughter of fundraiser Gary English, were at the opening to unveil a plaque in his memory

His children, Belinda Penkethman and Ray English, unveiled a plaque in his memory.

Ms Penkethman said: "He was always conscious of how drab the unit looked.

"He would be delighted with what's been done without a doubt."

Ray English had travelled from Australia for the ceremony.

He said: "I couldn't miss this for the world. Dad would not have forgiven me that's for sure."

"It [the unit] looks beautiful now, absolutely stunning."

Claire Ling was representing the Breast of Friends charity.

She had treatment for breast cancer before the refurbishment and said the floral mural in reception was a great addition.

Ms Ling said: "It looks a much brighter, lighter space.

"The last thing you want when you are having treatment is to look at a wall of cancer leaflets.

"It's not exactly appealing. It is nice to have something nice to look at."