New technology that dramatically reduces chemotherapy pain has been introduced at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT).
Last year, Hampshire Hospitals became one of only two NHS trusts to introduce the pioneering technology, aimed at reducing the debilitating numbness of both hands and feet that cancer patients often suffer as a result of chemotherapy treatment.
Chemotherapy is often a vital part of treating cancer, but these side effects are often life-changing with significant pain and numbness impacting a patient’s balance, dexterity and potentially their ability to walk.
These symptoms can often result in patients wanting to stop or reduce their chemotherapy treatment.
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The technology features two hand covers and two foot covers, cooling hands and feet simultaneously, with sensors ensuring the temperature does not fluctuate during treatment.
Unlike traditional methods of cooling, Hilotherapy can be used for hours at a time without temperature deviation.
Two Hilotherapy machines, funded by Ark Cancer Charity and The Edwina Mountbatten and Lenora Children’s Foundation, are currently being used in chemotherapy treatment received by cancer patients at both Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.
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Merv Rees, consultant hepatobiliary surgeon at Hampshire Hospitals and co-founder of the Ark Cancer Charity, said: "We, the trustees of the Ark Cancer Trust, are focused on raising funds to enable wellbeing to be at the heart of a patients’ cancer journey, with many initiatives, aimed at improving both physical and mental well-being, already part of cancer care in Hampshire Hospitals.
"Introducing Hilotherm is a perfect example of how we can make a cancer patient’s journey better tolerated.
"We are so grateful for the support we have received from Countess Mountbatten and her fellow trustees which has enabled Hampshire Hospitals to be pioneering this therapy in the NHS."
Speaking about the impact these machines will have on patients, Countess Mountbatten of Burma said: "The trustees of The Edwina Mountbatten and Leonora Children’s Foundation know that cancer treatment is worrying and tiring, so we wanted to eliminate the added anxiety of a potentially debilitating side effect.
"Funding the purchase of Hilotherm machines provided the answer.
"We hope that this has been as comforting to patients, as it has been rewarding for us to support Hampshire Hospitals’ initiative."
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