Rainbow Unit set to become training centre for doctors and nurses
The Board of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has approved the proposal for the Rainbow Unit to become a clinical training centre for its doctors and nurses when children’s cancer services move to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford in 2014.
The recommendation was presented to members of the Board at their meeting on 1 November on behalf of the Legacy Task Group, which is made up of staff, patients and families of the Rainbow Unit. This follows an Options Appraisal which considered six ideas around the future use of the unit that had been submitted by staff and the public.
The Board agreed with the Legacy Task Group that the training centre would have a special emphasis on paediatric skills training and to offer space within the unit for local community groups to use for meetings or events, prioritising children’s charities and groups.
Trust managers, doctors and nurses will now spend the next few months working together on a detailed plan around how the training centre will be managed and run.
Cathy Smith, Deputy Centre Chief for Women and Childrens and Head of Midwifery, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in our Legacy Task Group to help decide on the future use of the Rainbow Unit, following the move of children’s cancer services to Telford in 2014. The Trust acknowledges that this has been a very difficult decision to make and that there is still great sadness over the loss of the unit.
“By becoming a centre where our doctors and nurses can be trained to help care for children in the future, this will continue the legacy of the Rainbow Unit and build on the fantastic care that our staff have provided to children with cancer from across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and mid Wales. Meanwhile we are to continuing to work with patients, families and staff to ensure that the new children’s cancer unit will provide even better facilities in which to continue this fantastic care.”
An Arts Panel has also been set up to decide on a piece of artwork that will be created and based at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to serve as a lasting reminder and thank you to the Rainbow Unit. The Trust is interested to hear from anyone who would be interested in taking part in workshops to help create this artwork.
