At ELHT&Me, we take pride in the meaningful impact we have on individuals, families and our whole East Lancashire community. Together with you, we have achieved remarkable milestones that reflect our core vision and values.
The generous support of our supporters has enabled us to fund projects and initiatives across our family of five hospital sites and our community healthcare services.
ELHT&Me is proud to support those on a cancer journey by funding scalp cooling technology to reduce and prevent hair loss - a treatment outside of core NHS funding.
Our community came together to help raise funds for a dual system, enabling two patients to scalp cool at the same time. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this appeal.
The scalp cooling system is worn whilst receiving chemotherapy and a little while afterwards. It uses a specialised cooling technique and a silicone cap to help reduce the blood flow to the hair follicles. This causes blood vessels to constrict and reduces the amount of chemotherapy reaching the hair follicles.
Two family rooms at Lancashire Womens and Newborn Centre have been transformed into a modern, calm, comfortable environment.
Our Neonatal Intensive Care unit cares for the sickest and smallest of babies, providing a whole range of neonatal care, catering for a delivery rate of more than 6,200 babies born every year.
With flat screen televisions and freshly painted walls to brighten the rooms, as well as a full kitchen and en-suite, families now have a homely place to stay on site to spend precious time close to their babies.
Clare Norney, ward manager, said: "It is important for families to be close to their babies during what can be a very difficult time. These rooms provide families who have travelled long distances, a place to stay which alleviates any additional pressures."
ELHT&Me aims to expand the room offer with the addition of an on-site gym for the families using these two rooms to aid wellbeing.
Undergoing medical treatment can often be an unsettling experience, especially for our younger patients.
ELHT&Me launched the Power of Play appeal to enhance the experience for children and their families accessing our children's services and have been able to use fundds raised to resource craft items, install calming wall murals across ward bays, expand sensory play and celebrate inclusive occassions. We've also introduced three gaming consoles to distract our young patient and bring the home-from-home feel.
The robotic colorectal surgery programme was set up in 2017 to bring cutting edge advanced minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer to the people of East Lancashire and the wider region. ELHT was the first Trust in the Lancashire and South Cumbria region to offer the surgery. Since its launch, it has seen the hospital take on more complex cases to provide positive outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer.
The robotic surgery offers a minimally invasive approach for patients with challenging pelvic and colonic cancers and offers better views and manoeuvrability for surgeons during the operation. For patients, it also means a shortened stay in hospital, less pain and a quicker return to normal function.
Alfie, ELHT&Me's therapy dog, has made a remarkable impact across our family of hospitals and community services, providing much needed moments of happiness and companionship.
He successfully completed his training to become ELHT&Me's 'head of happiness' in July 2023.
Thanks to support from NHS Charities Together the charity was able to bring his warm presence and wagging tail to support staff, patients and their families.
Have you met Alfie? Share your photos - fundraising@elht.nhs.uk / find @elhtandme on social media