The Rigby Foundation continue to support clinicians at local NHS Trust
On Thursday 28 February 2019 the Rigby Foundation hosted the third Rigby Awards at Mallory Court Hotel & Spa.
The Rigby Foundation sponsor an annual award which encourages clinicians at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust to submit proposals for finding new ways of delivering cancer care for our local community.
At this year’s event the prestigious grant was awarded to the Trust’s Urology and Radiology departments. The multi-specialty project is to improve the way prostate biopsies are performed. Thanks to the funding from the Rigby Foundation, the teams are able to purchase specialist equipment which will enable them to undertake biopsies in a new, innovative way, reducing the risk of infection and enabling them to be carried out under local anaesthetic, rather than the traditional method which has to be done under general anaesthetic. In addition, Colorectal and Gynaecology teams will benefit from the use of the equipment which will be used for treatment of cancer and incontinence.
During the evening guests also heard from the previous year’s winners, which had jointly been awarded to clinicians at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust and The Shakespeare Hospice. Clinicians from the two organisations have been working together to help cancer patients and survivors manage fatigue and support them in returning to work. This vital project is helping patients to maximise their wellbeing and regain a sense of normality at what is often a difficult time. On the evening guests heard how important rehabilitation in cancer care is, particularly with regard to social, functional and occupational rehabilitation. The work the clinicians are doing is supporting people to return to an active life by providing a relaxed and supportive environment where patients can openly discuss their goals and problems and the opportunity to meet others in similar situations.
In March 2015 the Rigby Foundation also donated £250,000 towards the new Stratford Hospital development. Following this extremely generous donation the cancer unit is now forever known as The Rigby Unit.
This on-going support is going to continue further, with the Rigby Foundation recently pledging to fund enhancements to the Aylesford Unit at Warwick Hospital. This will include upgrading the facilities for patients undergoing chemotherapy, enhancing the environment for patients and visitors and creating a new outpatient waiting area which will give patients more privacy. Carrying out this development work this will enable the Trust to offer local communities access to first class services in the most comfortable settings.
Sir Peter Rigby said: “The Rigby Awards were designed to complement the launch of the Rigby Cancer Unit at the new Stratford Hospital in 2017. The Awards are essentially designed to encourage ideas and innovative solutions in the medical field through submissions from the hospital medical professionals to research and develop their ideas. Now in its third year, to date a variety of initiatives have been actioned for the most part around cancer related studies and programmes. This year we will review fresh ideas whilst offering continued support to some of the earlier programmes. The awards are part of a long term commitment from The Rigby Foundation, to enable South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust to offer cancer treatment in a state-of-the-art environment. After seeing the impressive unit at Stratford Hospital, we wanted there to be parity between the Rigby Unit and the Aylesford Unit and therefore will be supporting the Trust to develop the facilities available at Warwick Hospital.”
Glen Burley, Chief Executive at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are extremely grateful for the continued support from the Rigby Foundation. Their generosity is giving our clinicians the opportunity to implement pioneering treatments that will improve the care we offer to patients. The support they have given to the Trust is evident in The Rigby Unit at Stratford Hospital. Cancer patients are able to receive treatment in a comfortable, pleasant environment with access to enhanced facilities and equipment. I am delighted that this is going to be replicated at the Aylesford Unit.”
Photo caption: Sir Peter Rigby, Maya Harris – Consultant Urologist, Glen Burley - Chief Executive
