Fiona Carey, Co-Chair of the CCRH Patient Advisory Group (PAG), shares the subjects current and former cancer patients have covered in recent meetings, helping to design and build Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.
"Patients are making a real difference here, we are listened to. We see things staff don't see, we know things staff don't know. We’ve got a really good co-production model, and the more patients and carers who join us, the better. "
Fiona Carey
Patients are involved in every part of the project; we are embedded in the seven workstreams, my co-chair and I sit on the Operational Delivery Board, we represent the project at events, and we regularly talk about the virtues of co-production at other NHS meetings. We welcome staff from the project, clinical and research teams to our PAG meetings, for them to scope patient opinion on a related piece of work. In 2023, we talked about catering, digital opportunities, research, commercial, arts and landscaping and innovation in the new hospital. This year, we have so far tackled inpatient admissions, fundraising, wayfinding and organisational development. Our conversations are always interesting, and sometimes surprising, but they always generate rich and valuable output which is much valued by the project team.
I am pleased to say our input has directly shaped the following decisions or conversations:
- the design of the urology treatment rooms to preserve patient dignity
- whether to incorporate a Macmillan support facility
- how the CCRH outpatient pharmacy should operate
- how easy is it to find their way around the building for patients with varying needs
- how people can sense, on entering the hospital, that world-class research is happening here
As you can see, we are making a clear difference. After more than 20 years as a cancer patient, it means a great deal to be part of this project.
"It's so exciting to be involved. Future staff and patients will have an amazing building to be working in and treated in. It feels like a legacy project; we're bringing the lab bench to the patient bedside."
Susan Arnold, member of CCRH's Patient Advisory Group (PAG)