Macmillan Cancer Support, the UK’s leading cancer care charity, has awarded Waddington Unit at Lincoln County Hospital its Quality Environment Mark (MQEM)
The Macmillan Quality Environment Mark recognises cancer environments that go above and beyond to create welcoming and friendly spaces for patients.
The award is the first of its kind in the UK and has been designed in collaboration with people living with cancer.
Macmillan also collaborated with stakeholders, including the Department of Health, to ensure the MQEM award criteria is evidence-based and recognised by regulatory bodies including the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England.
The award is the first of its kind in the UK
Waddington Unit joins United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s (ULHT) three Macmillan Support Centres in Boston, Grantham and Lincoln which have all retained their MQEM awards following reassessment this year.
The new award was presented to the team by Officer Commanding, Wing Commander Adam Collins and Chief of Staff, Squadron Leader Doug Smith.
Unit Manager, Jenny Thompson, said: “It has been a real team effort to ensure that we meet this standard on Waddington Unit. I’m so proud of everyone who has contributed, however big or small. We strive every day to make this unit the best possible environment for our patients and so to receive recognition for that is fantastic.”
The criteria for the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark is:
- Welcoming and accessible to all
- Respectful of people’s privacy and dignity
- Supportive of the patients’ comfort and wellbeing
- Gives choice and control to patients
- Listens to the voice of the patient
As part of the accreditation, recommendations were made on how the unit could make further improvements.
The team has recently renovated a large balcony area by adding seating and colourful plants, making it a welcoming environment for patients, their families and staff members to be able to enjoy some fresh air.
Staff from the local Royal Air Force Waddington (RAF Waddington) also gave areas of the unit a facelift, including renovations to the day room where patients can spend time socialising and watching television.
It has been a real team effort to ensure that we meet this standard on Waddington Unit
Red Arrows Royal Air Force Wing Commander Adam Collins, said: “It’s great that we have this relationship between RAF Waddington and Waddington Unit, I’m really keen that we continue this support. I was honoured to be invited to present the award. It’s a great achievement and I’d like to thank the staff for everything that they do for their patients. It’s something that is close to my heart and it was an honour to be able to present the award.”
The Trust is now working towards achieving this accreditation across all of the wards that care for patients living with cancer.
Top image: Unit Manager Georgina Foster, Wing Commander Collins and Unit Manager Jenny Thompson Image credit: United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust