CARES charity makes donation to improve patient waiting area at Burnley General Teaching Hospital
A charity, devoted to investing in the early detection of cancer across East Lancashire, has extended the support beyond clinical equipment.
The CARES charity has made a new donation dedicated to improving the endoscopy ‘B zone’ waiting area at Burnley General Teaching Hospital.
This initiative, aimed at enhancing the overall patient experience, follows the charity’s significant five year fundraising milestone reached last year, which celebrated the donation of endoscopy scopes and a pioneering machine that is the first of its kind in the UK.
The most recently donated endoscopy machine for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has already supported more than 1,400 complex case procedures and the endoscopy probes over 150,000 across the trust, substantially strengthening early cancer detection and diagnosis throughout the region.
Anthony Fairclough, co founder of CARES, which stands for Cancer Assessment Rapid Early Support, said: “With all three endoscopy machines now successfully in place and a significant rise in patients undergoing early cancer detection, we recognised the need to support improving the patient experience.
“We have worked closely with ELHT’s hospital charity ELHT&Me and together recognised the opportunity to enhance the patient journey from initial detection through to treatment.
“Ensuring patients feel comfortable, supported and at ease while waiting is just as important as the clinical care they receive. A welcoming environment, complete with comfortable seating and modern facilities, plays a vital role in supporting patient wellbeing.
“This investment also reflects the impact of early detection — as demand for these lifesaving services grows, expanded and improved waiting areas are needed to support the increasing number of patients who rely on them.”
Head of ELHT&Me Denise Barrett-Wilson said: “This donation will not only enhance the patient experience but also strengthen the trust’s growing diagnostic capabilities.”
CARES remains committed to detecting and preventing cancer in East Lancashire by funding preventative and diagnostic equipment and raising awareness of the importance of early detection in partnership with the NHS and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. The charity raises funds through the sale of discounted designer clothing via its retail stores, Labels for Cares.
Over the past five years, CARES has funded three groundbreaking endoscopy machines for both adult and paediatric services. This latest project represents a continued commitment to improving cancer detection and patient care across East Lancashire.