News

NNUH hosts World Cancer Day information event

January 16, 2019

The latest developments in cancer care will be among the talks taking place at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) as it marks World Cancer Day with an information event on Monday, February 4 which will give people the chance to hear about cancer care at NNUH.

The information event is being held alongside events worldwide to mark World Cancer Day with the aim of raising awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

From 2pm-4pm there will be information stands at the East Atrium level 1 on the main hospital site, where the public can find out more about the many cancer treatments at the hospital and much more.

Then from 4pm-6pm, there will be a series of short talks in the Benjamin Gooch Lecture Theatre led by leading consultants and experts in cancer care, followed by a question and answer session, where the public will have the opportunity to put their questions relating to cancer care to the team. The event will end with music from the NNUH Hospital Choir.

Hosted by NNUH Medical Director Erika Denton and among the speakers will be the Trust’s Cancer Manager Matt Keeling. He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to hear about the developments taking place here in Norfolk.

“The NNUH is one of the country’s biggest cancer centres, treating about 6,000 patients each year and diagnoses almost 2% of all cancers in the UK. We want to keep the local population updated on the exciting developments and work being undertaken in this area’’

Louise Cook, NNUH Head of Fundraising said: “The event will be a great opportunity for the people of Norfolk to find out more about the cancer services available to them.

“We have among the country’s leading experts in this field and this annual event is a perfect way to mark this year’s World Cancer Day. We will also be letting people know about our current appeal that will benefit local breast cancer patients.”

Refreshments and free parking will be available for attendees.

Notes to editors:
For more information about the event, please email communications@nnuh.nhs.uk

Merry Christmas from N&N Hospitals Charity

December 19, 2018

As 2018 comes to an end, we have been reflecting on what has been a fantastic year and one of the busiest for N&N Hospitals Charity.

Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who has supported us by taking part in challenges, organising events and generally going above and beyond to raise money for our charity.

We started the year with a new logo and branding for the charity, closely followed by our new website dedicated to everything about the work we do. Our McKee House appeal was launched in the Spring with the aim of raising £15,000 to help provide free accommodation to parents whose babies are in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – and we were able to achieve this in October.

In June we held our summer fete with this year’s theme Woof, Wellies and Wellbeing, during which we hosted our first fun dog show and woodland walk – both events were hugely popular and something we hope we can do again.

In July, hundreds of cyclists braved scorching temperatures to take part in the annual NNUH 100 Sportive, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital’s charity bike ride.

Complete novices lined up alongside more experienced cyclists to 100, 60 or 30-mile routes – a particularly gruelling challenge on what was one of the hottest days of the summer with many cyclists on the roads for more than 10 hours.

Throughout the year, we have enjoyed seeing how some of the state-of-the-art equipment funded by the charity has started to benefit our patients, including a Laparoscopy Stack System to treat patients with endometrial cancer, a Confocal Microscope for detecting skin cancer, and a £600,000 High-Dose Rate prostate brachytherapy treatment space in the Colney Centre.

At the end of October, we launched our £800,000 Boudicca Breast Cancer Appeal to provide a dedicated breast cancer unit here at the N&N.

We hosted a fantastic launch event at the Forum, where we heard from our medical team looking to provide a one-stop shop service for patients which will offer on-the-day diagnosis.

We also heard from former breast cancer patient Rebecca Mayhew and Anna Stevenson whose younger sister is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. They told the audience how unbearable the wait for results can be, not just for the patients, but for their loved ones who often feel helpless.

We have been overwhelmed by the support of many groups and individuals with a whole host of fundraising events planned for 2019 to benefit our Boudicca appeal.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could achieve the target during 2019 and be able to open our new Breast Cancer Unit?

It just remains for us to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year from us all at N&N Hospitals Charity.

Appeal launches to create bereavement suite

December 12, 2018

An appeal has begun to raise £35,000 to create a bereavement suite at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Jenny Whatling is one of those behind the appeal and her story was featured here on BBC News Online.

Currently the Maternity Department at the hospital does not have a specific bereavement room on the delivery unit.

A designated room is needed so that when a mother losses a baby either suddenly at birth or is having an induction of labour we can provide a room which is both clinically set up to deliver the baby as well as provide a comfortable atmosphere where parents can mourn their loss in private.

Many parents wish to stay with their baby for some time using cuddles cots which cool the baby, and allow other members of the family to meet the baby.

Once this room is in place we will be looking to fund raise for other items which may be required for this area within the hospital.

You can donate to the appeal here.

John Lewis staff make special delivery to NICU

December 11, 2018

Staff from the Norwich branch of John Lewis & Partners made a special delivery to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to drop off some presents for the smallest patients.

Flo and Alison from John Lewis & Partners presented the team on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with 45 Jellycat soft toys – one for every baby who will be on the unit on Christmas Day.

The toys are among the 1,000 plus which were received by the N&N Hospitals Charity as part of the annual Send a Smile with Santa appeal which gives a present to every inpatient on Christmas morning.

Louise Cook, Head of Fundraising, said: “We have been overwhelmed with the generosity of people this year who have donated fantastic presents for every one of our patients.

“On behalf of all our staff and patients, we want to thank everyone who sent in and delivered presents, including Archant, Greater Anglia, Costa Coffee, Norwich Cooper BMW in Longwater, the Lions and John Lewis.”

This appeal is now closed for this year while Santa’s Elves get the presents ready for Christmas Day.

First prostate brachytherapy treatment takes place in East Anglia

December 5, 2018

A project to enhance the range of cancer treatments available to patients with localised prostate cancer has begun at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The first High-Dose Rate prostate brachytherapy treatment in East Anglia has taken place at NNUH.

The new service is thanks to the very generous public support for the N&N Hospital’s Charity Targeted Radiotherapy Appeal, which raised more than £600,000 to create a dedicated treatment space in the Colney Centre.

Vicki Currie, Katie Cooper, Jenny Nobes and Sam Worster

Around 400 men a year are treated with radiotherapy for prostate cancer at the NNUH, which directs radiation from outside the body. High-Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy is used for many cancers, and works by placing radioactive sources inside or near a tumour, which can potentially improve cure rates and reduce treatment times and side-effects.

The hospital is the first in the world to use the Varian Bravos afterloader system for brachytherapy treatments.

Dr Jenny Nobes, Consultant Oncologist at NNUH, who is a specialist in brachytherapy, said the new service meant that patients with prostate cancer no longer had to travel to London for HDR treatment.

“Instead of having seven and a half weeks of daily radiotherapy, patients have three weeks of daily radiotherapy and this brachytherapy treatment as a boost. Because it places the radioactive source directly into the prostate, there is potentially less effect on the bladder and bowel. Having prostate HDR increases the range of treatments available as well as reducing the number of visits to the hospital for people across the region.

It strengthens our position as a centre of excellence for prostate cancer treatment. The Trust started robotic prostate surgery a few years ago and men now have more radiotherapy treatment options as well,” she said.

Jonathan Bower, from Norwich, was the first patient to receive prostate brachytherapy on November 29^th after being diagnosed with cancer in June 2018.

Jonathan Bower

For me, it is perfect. The big advantage is that after HDR brachytherapy, which is generally a day case admission to hospital, I only require 15 sessions of radiotherapy. If I had not had the brachytherapy treatment, then I would have needed 37 sessions of radiotherapy.”

People across Norfolk and Waveney donated and raised over £600,000 to fund the Targeted Radiotherapy Appeal to create a purpose built brachytherapy space at NNUH.

The appeal funded a multi-purpose room for anaesthesia and brachytherapy treatment at the Colney Centre with a dedicated recovery area as well as additional equipment needed for these treatments.

Louise Cook, Head of Fundraising, said: “The Targeted Radiotherapy Appeal was our biggest fundraising appeal at the time and it is fantastic to see that people’s generosity has led to real improvements in patient care at NNUH and enhanced services.”

The hospital’s charity launched the £800,000 Boudicca Appeal last month to provide a new dedicated breast cancer unit at NNUH. To support the appeal, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Boudicca

Christmas tree shines for breast cancer appeal

November 20, 2018

The N&N Hospital Charity will be shining bright this Festive season as Christmas trees, decorated by local businesses, will transform St Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich into a glittering spectacle.

For the first time, the N&N Hospitals Charity has its very own tree which will represent our Boudicca Breast Cancer Appeal which was launched at the end of October.

The appeal aims to raise £800,000 to open a larger breast cancer unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital which will mean patients will receive same-day diagnostic tests and imaging assessment, eliminating the wait currently facing some patients.

The Charity Christmas Tree Festival will be officially opened by the Lord Mayor in the church on Wednesday, November 28^th and will be open to the public from Thursday, November 29th until Monday, December 3rd.

The event is run by the Rotary Club of Norwich St Edmund, with the support of St Peter Mancroft Church, all net proceeds will go to the club for distribution to the church and local charities with this year’s theme being “health”. Entry to the Festival is free but donations will be very much appreciated.

Trees are sponsored by local businesses for themselves or on behalf of local charities and N&N Hospitals Charity is delighted that The Forum has supported us to allow us to have our very own Boudicca tree for the Festival of Light.

Tim Bishop from the Forum Trust said: “It’s a fantastic cause that will directly benefit the lives of thousands of people across Norfolk and we’re delighted to help.

“That wait between thinking there might be a problem and hearing whether or not you have breast cancer has a huge impact on the lives of patients, families and colleagues. This appeal can take away that agonising delay and quicker treatment will save lives.”

The Boudicca tree will be adorned with pink, red and silver decorations to reflect the colours of the breast cancer appeal logo.

The base is surrounded by heart-shaped pillows made by Norwich’s Boudicca Way WI group for breast cancer patients at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals and which help relieve pain or pressure for breast cancer patients who have had an operation.

There are also gift tags around the base of the tree and we would encourage visitors to write a message in support of someone they know who has had breast cancer.

Louise Cook, N&N Hospitals Charity Head of Fundraising, said: “Christmas is a very special time of year and we hope our Boudicca Tree will resonate will the people of Norwich. We hope both staff and visitors to the Festival will write a message and carry away the message about our appeal.

“Thank you to everyone who made our tree possible in particular the Rotary who invited us to take part and the Forum Trust which sponsored our tree.”

For more information about the Boudicca Appeal, please visit www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk

Parents urge support for Send a Smile with Santa

November 13, 2018

The parents of a baby girl born on Christmas Day are urging people to support the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital’s Send a Smile with Santa appeal.

Two years ago, Maria and Karl Brett received the best present of all with the arrival of Mollie Florence at 2.55am on Christmas morning.

However, their time in hospital was made all the more special as staff got into the Christmas spirit and delivered presents, kindly donated by members of the public, to every one of the 1,000-plus patients who spent the day in hospital.

Maria said: “We came into hospital around 9pm on Christmas Eve and met our amazing midwife Alex.

The next few hours went by in a blur, with Alex and Karl by my side, all of us singing Christmas songs, we wished each other Happy Christmas when the clock struck midnight.

“On arrival at the delivery suite, we were greeted by another wonderful midwife, dressed in a Christmas Star Wars t-shirt … then followed other midwives dressed in felt Christmas trees which was a fantastic touch, it really did bring the Christmas spirit alive.

“After Mollie was born, Alex brought us a wonderful gift bag with a knitted reindeer hat, some lovely Bayliss and Harding bath products and a little box of chocolates.

“What a wonderful thoughtful surprise to receive such lovely gifts on Christmas Day. Receiving these made me well up with emotion, not just because of what I had been through in the last 24 hours but because someone out there had spent the time to be kind enough to put together a wonderful present for us to receive on Christmas Day.

“We will never have a Christmas quite like it and I will always have in my thoughts those that are spending their Christmas at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, whether it be because they are bringing a new life into the world or are not well enough to be at home for the festive period.

“This is why, from now on I want to spread the joy and happiness of receiving a thoughtful gift on Christmas Day and support the Smile with Santa campaign.”

The NNUH aims to give every patient a present on Christmas Day in the appeal, supported by the EDP and Evening News.

If you are able to donate a present for a patient, please could you ensure that they remain unwrapped so that the hospital can tailor them to patients, as well as protecting against potential infection. In addition to gifts, the hospital would also welcome donations of gift bags.

The hospital cannot accept homemade gifts, electrical items, sharp objects or any used goods. Gifts can be dropped off at:

Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich;
West inpatient reception level one, NNUH;
Costa Coffee, London Street, Norwich;
Jet service station, Norwich Road, Halesworth;
Norwich railway station customer service.

Charity launches £800,000 breast cancer unit appeal

November 1, 2018

An £800,000 appeal to provide a new dedicated breast cancer unit at the hospital has been launched by the hospital’s charity.

The Boudicca Breast Cancer Appeal was officially launched at The Forum, in Norwich, where the ambitious plans were announced by Director of Breast Screening Arne Juette and Consultant Breast Surgeon Simon Pain.

The breast cancer unit has seen an 80% increase in patient numbers over the past five years and numbers are continuing to grow.

While many patients referred to the unit receive same-day diagnostic tests and clinical and imagining assessment, others are unable to be seen on one day and are asked to return for scanning.

Rebecca Mayhew at the launch of the Boudicca Cancer Appeal at the Forum in Norwich

Dr Juette said: “We are all acutely aware of the extreme emotional stress which patients experience when delays occur and the uncertainly of whether they will be diagnosed with breast cancer or given the all clear.

“We want to offer the same-day service to every patient, not least to reduce this stress and anxiety faced by patients and their families.

“The new unit would provide this in a purpose-built space with diagnostic and treatment rooms dedicated entirely to breast patients.”

The launch evening was compered by BBC Look East’s Amelia Reynolds with speakers including NNUH Medical Director Erica Denton, former breast cancer patient Rebecca Mayhew and Anna Stevenson whose younger sister is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Rebecca Mayhew was diagnosed in 2012 not long after the birth of her child.

Since her diagnosis referrals to the hospital have increased by 80% and the mother-of-two said: “Until you get the diagnosis you are stuck, you are frozen.”

She described the waiting time between appointments as “torture” and urged everyone to get behind the Boudicca appeal.

Also supporting the event was Anna Stevenson, from Norwich, who told the story of her younger sister’s diagnosis and the impact it had on her whole family.

She said: “My mum watches her youngest daughter dying, my brothers who do not talk about it and wonder why they can’t protect their baby sister, and me and my sister who have survivors’ guilt,” she said.

Anna also described how her 11-year-old son asked her if she was going to die.”

However, “by far the worst bit was the waiting”, she said.

boudicca appeal image

Head of Fundraising at NNUH, Louise Cook, said: “We need everyone to get behind this appeal because breast cancer affects every one of us, it’s as simple as that.

“I don’t know anyone who has not been affected by breast cancer – it may be a family member, friend, colleague who has been diagnosed and the quicker we reach our target, the quicker we can provide the new clinic and equipment.

“We would like to thank everyone who helped us launch our appeal – WhataHoot for making their fantastic pink gin cocktails for our guests, Richard Hughes and the team at the Assembly House for their canapes, The Forum for hosting us, and Tesco for their drinks – and of course, the fantastic speakers who gave us such moving and informative accounts,”

To support our appeal, please contact fundraising@nnuh.nhs.uk or make a donation at www.justgiving.com/campaign/boudicca

John Lewis kicks off Send a Smile with Santa 2018

October 23, 2018

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Norwich Evening News, have joined forces, once again, to make sure every inpatient in hospital receives a gift on Christmas Day.

The annual Send a Smile with Santa campaign aims to collect more than 1,000 presents donated by the public and businesses.

These are then distributed to the patients, both young and old, unable to celebrate at home with their families and who will be spending Christmas Day in hospital.

John Lewis department store in Norwich gave the appeal an early boost with the donation of 45 Jelly Cat toys – one for each of the babies who will spend Christmas in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Chief Nurse Nancy Fontaine said: “Our clinical teams do their best to ensure a lot of patients are able to spend Christmas at home, but there will always be those who must remain in hospital during the Christmas period, including those brought in as emergency cases on the day.

“Our staff work hard to make Christmas a happy time for patients and families, but it is always extra special to receive a gift on the day.

“We are hugely grateful for all the presents donated each year and we would love to be able to do the same this year. We are very grateful for John Lewis for helping our launch our appeal in such a positive way.”

Presents can be dropped off at main NNUH reception desks and at the Archant building on Rouen Road in Norwich.

Gifts can also be donated at Costa Coffee 48 London Street, Jet Service Station Halesworth and Norwich Rail Station will also have collection points for donations.

Louise Cook Head of Fundraising commented: “We are delighted that the Norwich Evening News is part of our campaign again.

“We’d also like to thank John Lewis for the fantastic toy donation to our NICU patients to start the campaign – we’ve had such a heart-warming response from the people of Norfolk in the past so we hope we can also reach our target this year.

“Please think about us if you are shopping for gifts and maybe buy one extra for a patient – gifts don’t need to be large and can be items as simple as toiletries or a puzzle book. Every year we struggle for men’s gift so we urge people to think about items which may be suitable such as a shower gel.”

All presents should remain unwrapped so that the hospital can ensure that presents are individually tailored and wrapped for each patient, as well as protecting against potential infection. In addition to gifts, the hospital would also welcome donations of gift bags. More gift ideas are listed here.

If you are shopping online at John Lewis, we have a Send a Smile with Santa gift list with a selection of small gifts which you may like to purchase for a patient, just type in 751747 at John Lewisor visit our Amazon wish list for ideas Amazon Wish List

Unfortunately we are not able to accept homemade gifts, electrical items, sharp objects or any used goods.

For more information on the appeal, or to offer a drop off location, please contact Louise Cook on 01603 287107 or email fundraising@nnuh.nhs.uk. Please ensure all presents are dropped off by Saturday 8th December 2018 to allow time for the hospital to wrap presents in preparation for Christmas Day.

Drop Off Points
• EDP Offices in Norwich
• Main West In-Patient Reception Level 1 at the NNUH Hospital
• Costa Coffee 48 London Street Norwich NR2 1LA
• AW + D Hammond Ltd Jet Service Station, Norwich Road Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8BU
• Greater Anglian Norwich Railway Station Customer Service

We Did It! Appeal helps parents of NICU babies

October 18, 2018

Accommodation for parents of sick and premature babies staying at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) is now being provided free for one year after a fundraising appeal reached its target.

Earlier this year, the Norwich Evening News and EDP featured the appeal by the hospital to raise £15,000 which would help provide free rooms close to its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where parents can stay while their baby is being treated.

The rooms are in McKee House – a five-bedroom property just a two-minute walk from NNUH which offers double en suite bedrooms, a shared kitchen, lounge and dining area.

It provides a base for parents of premature or unwell babies, receiving specialist, life-saving care at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for a fee of £20 a stay, be that a night or a week.

The N&N Hospitals Charity launched an appeal in February to offer everyone the chance to stay for free.

The appeal received a huge boost when Bethany and Simon Kemp raised £7,766.50 through a Baby Rocks charity evening which was held to thank staff who cared for their daughter, Isla, when she was born be emergency Caesarean section last year almost 14 weeks early.

Isla spent 79 days being treated on NICU before she was well enough to go home and has thrived ever since.

The appeal also received £1,000 from a charitable trust in the county and other donations which help the Hospitals Charity reach the target which will cover the accommodation costs for one year.

Bethany said “We are so pleased that the Baby Rocks concert has helped the charity reach the target.

“We live close to the hospital when Isla was in NICU but we made friends with others who stayed in McKee House and know how important it was for them to be close to their baby.

“It is fantastic to think that new parents will be able to stay at Mckee House for free – and have one less thing to worry about at such a difficult time.”

NNUH Head of Fundraising Louise Cook said: “We are so grateful to everyone who helped us reach the £15,000 target this year.

“There can be huge costs involved in a hospital stay –particularly for people who don’t like close to the hospital – travel expenses, food, childcare, not to mention lost wages, and offering McKee House for free, we hope this reduces the further stress of finding a place to stay.

“Some of our babies can be in hospital for weeks or even months at a time and McKee House provides not only a room to stay but a much-needed opportunity for them to rest away from the pressures of the unit.

“Having secured funding for one year, we hope there’s a business or organisation which can help us to keep this going in future years.”

If you would like to discuss the project, please contact Louise Cook on 01603 287107 or email louise.cook@nnuh.nhs.uk

For more information about N&N Hospitals Charity and how you can help, please contact fundraising@nnuh.nhs.uk or go to www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk