The unit at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, including people from Purbeck, is to get a £2 million refurbishment.
Funded by the hospital trust and money raised from Dorset County Hospital Charity’s Chemotherapy Appeal, the work to the Fortuneswell Unit includes a revised layout with more space, better facilities and an outdoor courtyard space.
An artist’s impression of the refurbished Fortuneswell Unit
Fundraising launched in 2019
The unit was originally opened in 1994, mainly treating patients with blood disorders but has developed over the years to provide chemotherapy treatment.
It works with the Dorset Cancer Centre at Poole Hospital with cancer specialists from Poole, holding clinics at Dorchester.
Fundraising to improve the unit at Dorchester officially launched in 2019 and hit its target of £850,000 recently, with the rest of the funding provided by Dorset County Hospital.
“Best possible environment”
Deputy chief executive officer at Dorset County Hospital, Nick Johnson said:
“We are very pleased that work to improve our Fortuneswell Unit is underway. So many people will be affected by cancer in their lifetime, and we want to support patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment by providing them with the best possible environment.
“Once it’s complete, we hope that the new and improved unit will complement the fantastic care already given by our staff.”
While the refurbishment is being carried out, chemotherapy outpatients are temporarily receiving their treatment on Fortuneswell Ward, which is next to the Fortuneswell Unit.
Work is due to be completed in spring 2025.
No chemo clinic available at Wareham Hospital
Wareham Hospital chemo clinic closed
Since the chemo clinic at Wareham Hospital was closed in August 2023 by University Hospitals Dorset, Purbeck patients needing chemotherapy have to travel to Poole or Dorchester, depending partly on their type of cancer.
At the time it was said that the service at Wareham had been:
“Temporarily withdrawn… due to changes within our staffing teams in the Cancer Care department.”
It’s understood that the decision remains under review but there has been little indication that the Wareham clinic will be reinstated, leaving many ill and vulnerable patients from Swanage and the surrounding villages facing a longer journey in order to access the care that they need.
Artist’s impression of the new emergency department and critical care unit at Dorset County Hospital
New emergency department at Dorset County Hospital
At Dorset County Hospital, building work is also taking place to create a new emergency department and critical care unit which will replace the current accident and emergency department.
The funding from the government’s New Hospital Programme was confirmed in September 2024 when the Department for Health and Care said some of the new hospital plans in England would be reviewed, however the work at Dorset County Hospital, which was already advanced, would continue to be funded.
Increasing demand means that the current A and E treats twice as many people as it was built for, so the larger facility is vital to meet patients’ needs.
Construction of a new access road to the site is underway with the new building due to open in 2027.
Work towards the construction of the new emergency department is under way
Further information
- More about Dorset County Hospital
