Isolation room makeover boosts comfort for cancer patients
A £90,000 refurbishment means cancer patients who need to stay in isolation, following radiation treatment, are now able to recover in a brighter and more comfortable space.
The isolation room on Southend Hospital’s Elizabeth Loury ward is used by patients with head and neck cancers who have been given a medication that leaves them temporarily radioactive for a short time after.
Due to their treatment, patients must isolate inside the self-contained room for up to a week with minimal staff contact. Providing a brighter more comfortable hospital environment is a crucial part of a person’s wellbeing and recovery.
The room upgrade includes a lead‑lined door with a viewing panel, as well as no‑touch taps, toilet flush and shower to limit radioactive contamination and make it easier to clean between patients.
It also has a fully sealed window, sealed sky‑themed ceiling tiles, a small kitchen area and a new television to make longer stays more comfortable. Behind the scenes, features such as thicker concrete walls and specialist wastewater treatment protects others from radiation exposure.
Half of the funding came from Mid and South Essex Hospitals’ Charity, with the rest met by the Trust.
Emma Chaplin, Deputy Director of Nursing for Cancer, said: “This room provides care to cancer patients from across the whole of Essex, often for up to a week of complete isolation.
“Thanks to charitable support we’ve been able to make essential improvements that help patients feel less alone while also allowing staff to monitor them more safely.”
As well as improving the isolation room, charitable funding also supported improvements to the ward’s reception and nurses’ station. The redesigned layout has helped create a more welcoming first impression and gives staff a clearer view of the ward.