Macmillan Quality Environment Mark for Spire Thames Valley Hospital
29 September 2022
Spire Thames Valley Hospital is celebrating their achievement, after receiving a prestigious award that recognises high standards in cancer care.
The Macmillan Quality Environment Mark (MQEM) sets a benchmark for the patient experience in the built environment of cancer care, based not only on the published evidence base for healthcare environments but also the personal contributions of over 400 people affected by cancer.
The focus of the quality mark is on the design and use of the cancer service environment. It also considers how far the physical environment is designed, used and managed in a way that supports high quality care, and in turn, contributes to the enhanced wellbeing of people affected by cancer.
The Macmillan Quality Environment Mark expects a place that:
- is welcoming and accessible to all
- respects the privacy and dignity of all users
- supports the comfort and well being of all users
- gives users choice and control
- listens to the users’ voice
On 6 September 2022 the MQEM assessment team undertook an assessment of the Oncology Unit at Spire Thames Valley Hospital. The unit exceeded the level required to attain the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark by achieving an overall score of 5 (highest score).
The Oncology Unit at Spire Thames Valley Hospital provides day cancer services that include breast, colorectal, upper gastrointestinal and hepatobillary, cancer of unknown primary (CUP), haematology and gynaecological cancers.
A room at Spire Thames Valley Hospital Oncology Unit
A cohesive workforce of staff within the hospital offer 24 hour care to patients and their families with a Resident Medical Officer and oncology consultants providing an on call rota. An experienced nursing team manage the day chemotherapy services and are supported by pharmacy staff and other supportive services to ensure treatments are delivered on time and with the upmost care.
View from an Oncology Unit room into the gardens at Spire Thames Valley Hospital
As part of the assessment process the assessment team spoke with a small number of patients to ask about their experiences of using the facility and some of the words used by patients to describe the environment were as follows: "Welcoming, familiar, friendly, relaxing, nice,
comfortable, calm, professional, and warm".
A massive congratulations to Priya Beresford (Oncology Manager), her team and all involved for this achievement.
We look forward to continue obtaining this award in the future.
For more information about the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark visit Macmillan Cancer Support.