DORSET County Hospital has announced it will be opening its dedicated cancer ward to patients tomorrow.

Fortuneswell Ward has been specifically developed to care for patients who have cancer and malignant haematology disease.

The move is part of a bed reconfiguration scheme which has seen the hospital close nearly 60 beds since October last year.

The 14-bed adult inpatient ward takes its name from the Fortuneswell Trust charity, which supports the chemotherapy unit at the hospital and has provided £150,000 to help fund the new facility.

Lead cancer nurse Abigail Orchard said there would be key benefits to patients of the new ward.

She said: “Many patients who have cancer will undergo intensive treatments such as chemotherapy which can be accompanied by side effects.

“Some of these side effects and complications require the patient to be admitted to hospital for further management.

“Whether having treatment or not, some patients with cancer will develop complications associated with the cancer itself and again, this may require admission to hospital for appropriate care and treatment.

“A key benefit for patients who are managed on the Fortuneswell Ward is that they will be cared for by a team of nurses and other health professionals who have a keen desire to work with patients affected by cancer.”

She added: “Many of the team already have experience and skills in caring for this patient group.

“This expertise and keen interest will together underpin the provision of high quality care for these people.

“As well as the 14 in-patient beds, the ward will have an assessment room which will enable the timely assessment of patients who have problems associated with their cancer, but do not necessarily require admission to hospital.

“It is anticipated that this facility, together with the introduction of a 24-hour telephone advice service for patients on cancer treatment will have a positive impact of reducing admissions to hospital.”

Chief executive at the hospital Jean O’Callaghan thanked staff for their hard work to get the new ward up and running.

She said: “There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes to prepare for the opening of this ward and the trust board very much appreciates everyone’s efforts to achieve this with minimum disruption to patients, visitors and staff.

“Many thanks also to the Fortuneswell Trust for their incredible ongoing support – without them we couldn’t have done this.”