New chemotherapy unit at King Edward VII Hospital

The Ashford Suite, serving oncology clinic patients, was opened on Friday by Doctor  Dick Ashford, who came along with his wife Cathy and daughters Elizabeth and Bryony. 

He retired as the trust's consultant oncologist last year.

A proud Doctor Ashford thanked everyone for naming the suite after him.

He said: "It has allowed me to move on with a sense of completion and closure on what was the most important and rewarding part of my professional life.  So I thank you all and I wish everyone well who will work in this unit.”

The old chemotherapy service was based in a small space in the chest clinic on the first floor with pharmacy located on the ground floor.

The Ashford Suite combines a consulting room, pharmacy and a nurse consultation room, plus a range of patient amenities in a larger and friendlier space. 

The charity Walk the Walk generously donated £84,000 to buy five scalp cooling machines to help people keep their hair whilst undergoing chemotherapy.  The Friends of King Edward Hospital donated £15,000 for furnishings.

Jane Depledge, lead cancer nurse, said: “It is a parting retirement gift and something we will always  remember him by.” 

The suite currently sees on average 140 patients a month.