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Official opening of haematology day care unit - improving service for patients

A new £350,000 day care unit for haematology (blood disorders) patients was officially opened at Addenbrooke's Hospital by Professor Sir Keith Peters, Regius Professor of Physic, on Wednesday 28 September 2005.

The new unit is helping to improve the service for patients with leukaemia, anaemia haemophilia and other blood disorders by providing dedicated facilities for treatments such as stem cell harvesting, plasma exchange and platelet and blood transfusion in a spacious and comfortable environment.

Dr Robert Marcus (left) with Professor Sir Keith Peters

The expansion was needed to accommodate the high volume of work carried out by the department, which sees patients from all over the region.

The spacious unit has four beds and six chairs, a dedicated room for intrathecal (introduced into the spinal area) chemotherapy and a quiet room.

Speaking about the new unit, Dr Robert Marcus, Consultant Haematologist, said: "It will more than treble our space for patients undergoing day care procedures, provide more appropriate accommodation and allow for intensive monitoring following chemotherapy, plasma exchange and other procedures. The new facilities also mean that we can translate research and new therapies directly into standard treatment for our patients."

Notes to editors

Professor Sir Keith Peters
Professor Sir Keith Peters is the current holder of the Regius Professorship, a Crown appointment, which was founded in 1540 by King Henry VIII. The holder is also Head of the School of Clinical Medicine at Cambridge. The Professor provides strategic leadership both within the School, and in its relationship with the NHS and other stakeholders, including the MRC, Wellcome Trust and CRUK (Cancer Research UK). Sir Keith Peters own research is in the field of immunological kidney disease and his work has been recognised by a Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians, a Fellowship of the Royal Society and Membership of the American Philosophical Society. He received a knighthood in the 1993 New Year's Honours List. He is due to step down from his role as Regius Professor of Physic at the end of September 2005.

For further press/media information contact: PR & Communications Department, Box 53, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ; Tel: 01223 274 433; Fax: 01223 257 143; Minicom: 01223 274 604.