Publish date: 18 November 2024
Patients in Leeds receiving a cancer diagnosis are benefiting from a new facility which enables difficult conservations to be had in a relaxing, pleasant environment.
The Teale Room has opened in the outpatients’ area of the Bexley Wing at St James’s University Hospital for patients and their loved ones to have conversations with consultants about their diagnosis.
It was funded by Panpals, a voluntary support group consisting of patients who have pancreatic cancer and their families and carers, with help from the Pancreas Cancer clinical team at St James’s University Hospital.
The group, founded by Karen Stead, raised £5,000 via donations, legacies, collections and coffee mornings and thought it fitting to announce the new facility in November which is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
“We’ve always wanted a pleasant room for consultants to sit with their patients when having difficult conversations, where the patients and their loved ones can sit a while to absorb what they may have been told, more often than not, bad news,’ explained Karen.
“It has taken ten months to totally refit the room which was formally a storage area from Covid times. The colours, furniture and design were all chosen carefully by myself and we are particularly proud of the images depicting beautiful Yorkshire landscapes.”
Karen continued: “The room was named in honour of Marcelle Teale, secretary to Mr Andrew Smith, Pancreatic Consultant Surgeon, who is thrilled with it. We decided on this because Marcelle is so lovely and helpful, and we think so much of her.
“The room has now been used many times, with great feedback received. It is also used by other cancer clinics too including lung cancer.”
