New cancer treatment area delivering more personalised care for patients
People from across North Yorkshire who travel to The James Cook University Hospital for chemotherapy treatment may notice some big changes on their next visit.
The chemotherapy day unit, which treats up to 60 people a day, now has 18 new specialist recliner chairs and a central lounge with colour-zoned areas.
A welcome change for North Yorkshire patients
The new seating and layout improves patient comfort, privacy, and personalised care for patients receiving treatment. Many people in North Yorkshire regularly travel to both the Friarage and James Cook Hospitals for care, so these upgrades will be welcome news.
The chairs are designed with patient needs in mind. The specialist ‘comfortline’ chairs are made to adjust for recline, leg elevation and tilt, helping to provide better comfort and support during treatment.
This improvement to the chemotherapy department was made possible thanks to £70,000 in funding from Our Hospitals Charity, the official charity arm of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Zoned layout provides more personal care
As well as being more comfortable, the new layout also means patients benefit from a more private space and a more personal approach to care. Each coloured zone has a designated nurse who looks after all the patients in their area throughout the shift.
This more personalised approach has been positively received by patients. Some have said the new system feels ‘much quicker’ and have appreciated having a ‘dedicated nurse’ to support them during treatment.
What patients are saying about the changes
Pamela Mawson, who completed her final round of chemotherapy in May 2025, praised the new set-up for helping her build a sense of community during her time at the unit.
“The new treatment area helped me build a community of friends throughout my treatment, and the chairs were extremely comfortable and relaxing.”
Staff also welcome the more relaxed and efficient environment
Clare Allinson, Head of Nursing for the James Cook Cancer Institute & Speciality Medicine Collaborative, said:
“Previously our patients attended the unit and sat in a generic seating area which was noisy, lacked privacy and space was limited.
“Since the addition of the new chairs, we have been able to create a relaxed treatment environment with designated zones for our patients which has helped to increase patient flow through the unit and allowed our nurses to deliver more individualised care.
“Thanks to the generous donations to Our Hospitals Charity, we are now able to deliver a more streamline and efficient service for our patients and have been able to start work on increasing capacity so that more patients can receive treatment within the unit.”
Charity support makes a lasting difference
Lisa Meehan, Fundraising Manager for Our Hospitals Charity, added:
“We are delighted to have been able to support the chemotherapy department with funding for the development of their new treatment area.
“The addition of the comfortline recliner chairs will be a huge benefit to so many, providing enhanced comfort, support and privacy for those undergoing chemotherapy treatment.”
Chemotherapy day unit staff with Pamela Mawson:
A comment from Healthwatch North Yorkshire
“We know how important it is for people to feel comfortable, supported, and treated with dignity when receiving care — especially during something as challenging as chemotherapy.
“It’s encouraging to see improvements like this being made at James Cook, particularly given how many people from North Yorkshire travel there for treatment.
“We’d like to thank everyone who shared their experiences to help shape these changes, and we’re pleased to hear the new chairs and personalised care are already making a positive difference for patients.
“We’ll continue to listen to people’s views on cancer care and treatment across our county, and we encourage anyone who’s recently used these services — at James Cook, the Friarage, or elsewhere — to share their experience with us.
“Your voice really does matter. It helps services understand what’s working well and where things could be improved.”
Credit: This article is based on original content provided by South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It has been adapted by Healthwatch North Yorkshire for our website.
Photographs courtesy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
