Social distancing whilst having treatment

[Bailey19260]

Stage 4 lung cancer. Hello I am having chemotherapy and immunatherapy for my cancer, cycle 1 was given at the chemo unit in the main hospital, however cycle 2 was moved to the Helena Rollason centre which is in a separate building, this made sense to keep all cancer patients away from the main hospital, however when I entered the room and shown to my chair I was surprised to see that there was only a small coffee table between myself and the next patient. I counted 12 patients all about 1 metre apart which isn't within the current government guidelines. My temperature was taken after I sat in my chair however I felt very uneasy about the situation. Please could you let me know your thoughts ??

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Bailey19260

Welcome to the forum where am sure you will find support and encouragement.

Its not an easy time for those undergoing treatment for cancer.

I understand your concerns, it may be worth mentioning it to the staff. Hosptals do try and make chemotherapy rooms as comfortable as possible, but appreciate that these are very different times. Hospitals have all had to devise ways of segregating postive covid patients from those needing treatments for other medical conditions. All hospitals will have made arrangements for those recieving chemotherapy to continue to do so as safely as possible. If the department has been moved they may have to be make the most of the space they have got. It is worth raising your concerns with the staff, as you are correct in saying that 2m is the current government guidence. I would also suspect you will not be the only person thinking about it when attending for the chemotherapy.

There is additional information for those with cancer, provided by a group of charities that have come together called 'One Cancer Voice' during this pandemic:

roycastle.org/covid-19/info...

If you wish to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Bailey19260 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you for your prompt response