A BRIDPORT woman who was treated at Dorset County Hospital has praised a care team after they won a national award for a commitment to patients living with incurable blood cancer.

The haematology team was presented with the Myeloma UK Clinical Service Excellence Programme Award in recognition of its outstanding care and unflagging dedication to patients with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer which claims the lives of 3,000 people in the UK each year.

The accolade, awarded by charity Myeloma UK, recognises hospitals’ commitment to raising the bar for treatment and providing compassionate and individualised care to patients.

Frances Brown, 63, from Bridport, has been receiving care at DCH since she was diagnosed with myeloma in 2016.

She said: “They are all very friendly, caring and dedicated to their jobs, their patients and give the best care possible.

“They’re another sort of family. When I went into Dorset County Hospital on December 9 with a fever of 39.9, the nurse spent a whole shift looking after me and trying to keep me alive – my husband said they put ice around me to bring the temperature down. They did everything they could to keep me on this planet and I have great admiration and thanks for them.”

Lucy Netherway, associate haematology clinical nurse specialist at the DCH, said: “It is wonderful to have been awarded the Myeloma UK Clinical Service Excellence Programme Award. Our multi-disciplinary team all work incredibly hard to provide the best care.”

Myeloma is especially hard to spot as its symptoms are often vague and dismissed as ageing or other minor conditions. By the time many patients are diagnosed their cancer has advanced and they require urgent treatment. This can significantly impact their chances of survival and quality of life.

The Myeloma UK CSEP programme assesses a range of criteria including testing and diagnosis, research and clinical trials, end of life care, information and support, patient experience, treatment and supportive care, multidisciplinary team working and awareness, education and referral.

The haematology department at DCH was praised by Myeloma UK for its teamwork, commitment to elderly and rural patients, holistic approach to care and its efforts to educate GPs about the condition and how to read test results.