Feedback from patients who frequent the current cancer waiting area at Middlemore Hospital is that it could be improved to be less sterile and more engaging. Counties Manukau DHB intends to upgrade furniture and create a more welcoming environment in this area using Dry July funds. CMDHB will also create and distribute new cancer patient information material to be available in this area.

Waitemata DHB is using funds from Dry July to create a private, quiet space where patients and their family/whanau can go for a conversation often about receiving bad news related to a cancer diagnosis.

The DHB has received feedback that often a cancer diagnosis is made in four bedded rooms where there is a lack of privacy due not having dedicated spaces in the hospital for these types of conversations. The quiet room will offer a space for this. It will be appropriately furnished and be family focussed. It will be housed in a part of the hospital dedicated to relieving suffering and where spiritual support is available if needed. Patients will have the option to stay in the room with their family/whanau as necessary.

Dry July funding is being used to convert an existing back office on Ward 64 of Auckland City Hospital into a dedicated patient/family/whanuau meeting room to promote respect and privacy for the patient/family/whanau. This will facilitate the private delivery of bad news and difficult conversations, especially for those in 4-bedded room, as well as dissuade “corridor conversations” between health care professionals and patient/family/whanau.

Auckland District Health Board is using funding from Dry July 2014 to replace 15 therapy chairs with adjustable bionic therapy chairs. These chairs will allow patients to be put into emergency position should they become unwell during treatment.

Funds are also going towards 20 new waiting room chairs and 2 lounges for Acute Oncology and iPads for medical oncology patients to use during treatment.

Christchurch Hospital used Dry July funds to install beautiful murals and ceiling pictures of New Zealand scenery in the Radiotherapy Department.

CDHB Radiation Therapist Laura Ross is a big fan: “The murals cover the walls leading into the treatment rooms and the ceiling pictures are placed for patients to look at while lying on the beds. In the Planning CT Scanning Room, we have a lovely picture of Hokitika Gorge on our ceiling. As the first place in the Radiotherapy Department that patients visit, they can be quite anxious and nervous. In a room full of large machines and medical equipment, it is so nice to have a tranquil picture for patients to look at. 

Whether the patients try to guess where the scene is, reminisce about a time they were there or comment on how beautiful the colour of the water is, our Hokitika ceiling picture is something patients always notice and talk about. These images really brighten up the Radiotherapy Department and have been a wonderful addition for the patients. 

I am so grateful for the Dry July Campaign for providing these comforting images for patients. Thank you Dry July!”