Community Support Enhances Comfort for Cancer Patients at Dauphin Regional Health Centre | Spare News

The Cancer Care unit at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre has seen significant improvements over the past 18 months thanks to more than $30,000 in donations from the Dauphin Regional Health Foundation. The contributions have been aimed squarely at making the treatment experience more comfortable for patients facing some of life’s most difficult moments.

Among the upgrades are new privacy screens, heated treatment chairs, and iPads for patients to use during their appointments. Cancer Care Regional Manager Kathy Ward says each of these items plays an important role in creating a more supportive environment for those undergoing treatment.

“Privacy screens for our patients, as well as heated, comfort chairs for their treatments. So our patients can enjoy some privacy when they come for treatment with the use of the screens. And the chairs themselves have a heating capacity that will allow them to be comfortable in the actual seats, when they are receiving their treatment,” Ward explained.

The treatment room at the unit has five open bays where patients receive chemotherapy. Infection control rules meant traditional curtains couldn’t be installed. The new privacy screens, purchased at a cost of $10,000, solve that problem by providing full coverage around each bay. “They cover the full front of the bay and curve around, offering privacy for procedures and quiet space for patients to have their treatment in,” Ward said.

Comfort has also been a major focus. Many patients sit for hours, sometimes up to eight, while undergoing treatments such as blood transfusions, which can cause chilling. “Various patients have commented that the heated seats provide comfort during their treatment regimens,” Ward noted. “Especially in the winter months, as the large windows that brighten the unit can also make it cooler inside.”

Ward says the donations go beyond physical comfort. Heated chairs, warm blankets, and iPads that allow patients to stream videos or keep up with current events all provide mental reprieve from the seriousness of their conditions. “As patients begin their cancer journey, the small comforts that we can offer … allow for the patient to experience a comfortable environment during a challenging time,” she said.

The Foundation’s continued support has been a morale boost for staff as well. “It allows the staff to provide these often complex chemotherapy regimens to our patients with a comfortable environment and diversions from the seriousness of their medical conditions.”

Ward emphasized that cancer treatment needs are constantly evolving, and so too are the equipment requirements at the unit. Each year brings new priorities, and she said the Foundation has been reliable in stepping up to meet those needs.

But beyond equipment, the community’s generosity also helps tackle another pressing issue: patient transportation. Donations support a Patient Support Fund that helps cover travel costs for appointments in Winnipeg or Brandon, ensuring patients can access the specialists and diagnostic services they need. “This need has continued to grow over the years,” Ward said.

For Ward and her team, the donations represent more than just dollars. They are a tangible reminder of how much the community values and supports its local cancer patients. “The support of the DRHC Foundation and the community members is invaluable to our department,” she said.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.