Salisbury hospital gives cancer patients free gym pass

Charles McGrath (centre) said he was delighted with the introduction of the gym pass

Cancer patients at Salisbury District Hospital are being given a gym pass to help them stay active after treatment.

The Stars Appeal charity has received an £88,000 grant from NHS Charities Together for two separate projects.

Patients are being given a 12-session ticket for a local leisure centre to enable them to continue with fitness therapy started in hospital.

The grant has also funded the Stars Appeal counselling service to support staff for a further year.

The hospital's prehabilitation and rehabilitation service is provided to patients to support their physical and mental wellbeing before and after their treatment or surgery.

'Fit as possible'

Charles McGrath, who is in remission after receiving intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia, has welcomed the initiative which will help his ongoing recovery.

He said: "Going to the gym and staying active has helped me recover physically and mentally from intensive chemotherapy and a five-week spell in the Intensive Care Unit.

"It will ensure I can keep as physically fit as possible which will be vital if I need any more treatment."

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Consultant haematologist and Stars Appeal Hospital Ambassador Dr Effie Grand said: "It makes a huge difference, not just to their mental wellbeing during a very stressful time, but also their physical recovery from operations, chemotherapy and other cancer treatments."

Charles McGrath says the initiative will help his ongoing recovery

The counselling service employs two dedicated staff counsellors who provide 100 counselling sessions each month.

Stars Appeal Staff Counsellor Pamela Kirkham said: "Taking care of our own mental health is essential.

"It is a privilege to be able to offer this extremely valuable service to the staff at Salisbury Hospital."

NHS Charities Together is the national charity caring for the NHS, working with a network of more than 230 NHS charities.