Make us a Million!
25th February 2010
By Sarah Dunn, Health Reporter, Sheffield Star
MAKE us a million! That's the challenge Sheffield Hospitals Charitable Trust and The Star are setting you in a vital fundraising campaign.
The £1 million Cystic Fibrosis Appeal is raising money to bring a 'world class' unit for patients to the city's Northern General Hospital.
The specialist team currently has just two dedicated treatment rooms, meaning young adults with the condition are spending long stretches on general respiratory wards which they share with elderly patients.
The Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is putting £1.4 million into the new 12-bed inpatient facility, with the remaining cash needed to make it exceptional to be raised through the charity appeal.
Building work has already begun on the unit next to the Medical Education Centre at the Herries Road hospital, where the idea is to create a 'home from home' atmosphere.
Plans from architects Race Cottam show the en-suite rooms each have their own theme - from a New York loft to a tranquil forest - and are all decked out in bright colours with the clinical equipment hidden away.
There will also be computer access - allowing patients to keep up with school, university or their employment - kitchen facilities and entertainment resources like TVs, DVDs and games consoles.
The appeal was launched at the end of February by 26-year-old Cystic Fibrosis patient Ruth Palmer, from Brinsworth, Rotherham.
She said she was thrilled to be part of the campaign, which she feels will give more recognition to the condition at the same time as raising money for a vital resource.
Ruth said: “I'm really excited about the appeal.
“It will mean recognition - that's one of the big things for me - that people will realise there are people out there living with CF, and it's not just a name.
“Not a lot of people know or understand what it's like to have this illness - to be on so many different medications, to get so tired so easily, to be in and out of hospital fighting infections - and I think this campaign will help raise more awareness.
“It will be so great to have our own unit and not to have to share a ward with other patients. We'll each have our own rooms when we go to stay and the decoration will be more personal and homely.”
She urged everyone to help the campaign reach its total and added: “I'd just ask people to take a minute to have a second thought about what it means for the patients, and get on board to help make the dream of this unit come true.”
Dr Frank Edenborough, a consultant in the specialist Cystic Fibrosis team which treats 130 patients from across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and beyond, said the launch of the appeal was an “exciting day”.
“This is the next step in what has been a long journey for us,” he said.
“What we are working towards here is the poshest, smartest CF unit which will be a beacon to the rest of the country.
“Sheffield is doing something really special and the people of South Yorkshire should feel proud that we can lead the way and that they can take part to make it happen.
“This is a truly horrible condition which still kills people when they are young. We are doing the best we can to help these patients have the best quality of life, and that can only be provided by giving the best quality medical care.”
David Reynolds, director of Sheffield Hospitals Charitable Trust, added: “I am confident that the people of Sheffield will rise to the challenge and help with the realisation of a long-term dream.”
And Chris Linacre, director of service development at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It's a superb venture to be involved with and we cannot wait to see it.”