Hospital team develops newspaper to help cancer patients

17 April 2019

A team at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital has developed its own newspaper to help cancer patients understand more about their treatment.

The Radiotherapy Team based at the Lingen Davies Centre has produced Radiotherapy News, a monthly newsletter which provides information about what’s happening in the department, developments in Radiotherapy both at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and nationwide and more about a patient’s treatment.

Bernadette Mortiboy, Technical Superintendent with the Radiotherapy Department, said: “The team in Radiotherapy are aware that at the beginning of a patient’s journey through the department they are bombarded with lots of information. There is a lot to take in at a time when they are very vulnerable and can feel overwhelmed.

“When their course of treatment starts, they can face a long time in our waiting room before they can be treated.

“That’s why we came up with the idea of writing a regular newspaper with information about treatment, the team, and radiotherapy news from around the world.”

The first issue was launched at the end of March and was made available in the patient’s waiting room.

William Fearson, a patient who is being seen by the Radiotherapy team, said he was impressed by the initiative.

He said: “I think it’s absolutely excellent – easy to read, informative and well-illustrated. It also reflects the kindness and professionalism of the staff. As a patient it’s all really appreciated.”