Oncology Café opens at Northampton General Hospital thanks to donations

Northampton General Hospital’s Oncology treatment department has recently opened a new café, thanks to the generous funding from Northamptonshire Health Charity. This new facility aims to provide comfort and respite to patients and their carers during their visits for treatment.

Patients and carers often find themselves spending considerable time in the waiting room between treatments. Having a welcoming space where they can relax, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and engage in friendly conversation can make a significant difference.
Patient carer Tracey, said “To have someone to talk to and say ‘hello’, lifts your spirits and takes your mind off the treatment which is invaluable.”

The café offers free refreshments, which is particularly appreciated by patients who might otherwise have to walk a long distance to find a place to relax. Sylvia, a patient who has been coming for treatment for three years, expressed her gratitude, stating, “This is great because it means I don’t have to walk a long way to Costa. It’s wonderful to be able to sit down, have a coffee and a biscuit.”

Managed by the University of Northamptonshire Foundation Trust Volunteer Services Team, the café operates from 10 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday. This service is entirely volunteer-run and relies on donations to the Northamptonshire Health Charity. These contributions ensure that patients and their carers can enjoy free refreshments, providing a small but meaningful comfort during a challenging time.

The opening of this café has been made possible thanks to the support and the dedication of the volunteers. Donations to the Northamptonshire Health Charity are always welcome and help maintain this valuable service for those in need.

“Northamptonshire Health Charity make a massive impact to our patients and staff, many of the initiatives that we provide as part of the volunteer services team wouldn’t be possible thanks to them”, said Michelle Barnes, Deputy Head of Volunteer Services at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

To find out more about the charity visit
www.nhcf.co.uk