Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised nationally for its outstanding care of patients with myeloma after receiving a prestigious award from leading charity, Myeloma UK.
The Myeloma UK’s Clinical Service Excellence Programme (CSEP) Award has been presented to the Haematology Team at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital celebrating the achievements in delivering high quality treatment and care to their patients and identifying any key areas of improvement. Hampshire Hospitals first achieved the accreditation in 2022.
Myeloma is an incurable type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow and requires ongoing specialist treatment and support. Developed by Myeloma UK in consultation with patients, family members, carers and healthcare professionals, the charity’s CSEP programme best practice standards comprise of ten key themes, covering all aspects of myeloma, from referral and diagnosis to end-of-life care. Hampshire Hospitals achieved an ‘excellent’ rating in all ten categories.
Myeloma UK also highlighted the hospital's Myeloma Walk and Talk sessions as an example of innovative patient support, bringing together exercise, peer support and mental wellbeing activities for people living with the condition.
Dr Noel Ryman, Consultant Haematologist at Hampshire Hospitals, said: “We are very proud to be reaccredited by Myeloma UK and to have achieved an excellent rating across all categories. This award reflects the dedication of our entire multidisciplinary team, who work together to provide the highest standard of care and support for people living with myeloma.”
Sarah Walker, a myeloma patient at Hampshire Hospitals, said: “The doctors and nurses are always here for you. You can share your anxieties and fears with them. They listen and support you and put you back on your feet again. You can say things to them that you really wouldn't say to your family, because you wouldn't want to worry them. They're just incredible. And I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
Rhys Owens, Clinical Practice Services Senior Projects Officer at Myeloma UK, said: “Myeloma is a challenging cancer which keeps coming back and can be difficult to cope with both physically and mentally, so patients really need a caring team in their corner.”
“A particular standout is the hospital’s new ‘Myeloma Walk and Talk’ sessions which combine exercise with mental wellbeing and peer support. It’s absolute clear to us that staff work very hard to empower patients, listen to their needs, and actively encourage them to participate in decisions about their care.”
Myeloma UK, which supports hospitals in providing patient-focused myeloma treatment and care, recognises and shares excellence in myeloma care in order to best meet the needs of patients.
The reaccreditation reinforces Hampshire Hospitals' commitment to continually improving services and ensuring patients with myeloma receive high-quality, personalised care throughout their treatment journey.
