A charity paid £495,000 to refurbish part of the RUH's Children's Outpatients, mainly for children having cancer treatment. It is now open to patients.

Children having cancer treatment at the Royal United Hospital in Bath now have a refurbished space for their care. The work, in part of the hospital’s Children’s Outpatients department, was paid for entirely by the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group (BCUSG), a local charity.

A ribbon was cut in October and “the area is now open for patients”, the hospital told Bath Daily.

The project was billed as £500k. The hospital’s media release of 15 October puts the charity’s investment at £495,000, the same figure the charity gives on its project page.

What the money paid for

The hospital said the money paid for “significant refurbishment works”. They include:

  • two additional treatment spaces, for up to five patients at a time
  • modernised medication preparation facilities
  • refurbished waiting areas
  • enhanced clinical workspaces
  • a more open and accessible reception area

“The space will be primarily be used by children having cancer treatment,” the hospital said.

A refurbished waiting area with blue and grey bench seating, green walls and a reception desk at the back
The refurbished waiting area, with the reception desk behind. Photo: RUH

“A buzz across the team”

Dr Polly Bates is the RUH’s Associate Specialist in Paediatric Oncology. She said in the release: “We are incredibly grateful to BCUSG for their generous support. The project has totally transformed the space we provide our care in and this has really created a buzz across the team.

“It’s a more comfortable and nurturing environment for the children we care for and their families, and the improvements will also help us to work more efficiently.

“Many of our cancer patients have multiple hospital visits over extended periods, and we know they will really benefit from these changes.”

A blue reclining treatment chair beside a medical trolley with storage drawers, with clinical waste bins on the right
A treatment space in the refurbished department. Photo: RUH

The charity raised the money from its supporters and fundraisers, the hospital said. BCUSG pays for clinical equipment, enhanced facilities and services that fall outside NHS funding.

Michael Taylor, the charity’s chairman, said: “We at BCUSG were delighted to be able to provide further support to Dr Polly Bates and her team at the RUH Paediatric Oncology team.

“The improvements which have been carried out at the unit will improve the experience of children undergoing treatments. They will also improve the working conditions for staff and enable more patients to be treated.

“We are very grateful to a large number of our supporters who donated to the appeal or raised funds for it.”

The charity also funds a nurse associate to spend 12 hours a week on home and school visits to children with cancer, according to the release. That lets the children have blood tests and some routine check-ins without travelling to the RUH, so they miss less school.

What it means for you

Families of children having cancer treatment at the RUH will be cared for in the refurbished space, which the hospital says is now open. Questions about a child’s appointments go to the RUH directly.

The charity’s other appeals, and ways to give, are on the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group website.