Oncology garden opened in St Peter's Hospital (From Surrey Comet)

Oncology garden opened in St Peter's Hospital

4:00pm Monday 5th January 2009

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A specially equipped oncology garden has been opened in St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, to allow children with depleted immune systems the chance to have their own recreational area.

Children being treated at the Little Oaks paediatric oncology unit are often receiving chemotherapy for aggressive forms of cancer and are unable to mix with other patients due to the risk of infection.

The garden, which includes a log cabin and a large soft playground, was built by field engineers from EDF Energy Networks as part of its Helping Hands scheme, which allows staff to give a minimum of two paid working days each year to help local charities and community groups with voluntary work.

Paediatric oncology clinical nurse specialist Emma Read said: “This oncology garden has created a fantastic opportunity to have their own play area whereby they can come out of isolation cubicles into the garden and play independently of non-oncology children.

“We are extremely grateful for all those who have contributed and raised money for this to be possible.”

Chris Costa, business unit support manager for children’s services at St Peter’s, said: “This is going to be wonderful for the children and their families, who are sometimes here all day for treatment.”

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