What we do

Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) Unit at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital provides treatment for both oncology and haematology patients, who live within the East Lancashire area. Our patients have to be referred to us by either an oncology consultant or a haematology consultant after being diagnosed with some form of cancer. We are a day-case unit and we have 20 chairs on the unit. We also carry out some minor procedures on the unit including insertion of central venous access devices (CVAD) for certain treatments and bone marrow biopsies.

How to access the service

Patients can access the service once they have been referred to the Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) unit by a consultant. Appointments are always required as we do not offer a drop-in session yet.

We  offer a 24/7 telephone oncology helpline, where the patients can call for specialist advice or if they become unwell.

Where to find us

The Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) Unit is based on level 4 on D5 at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Ward Manager

Ruth Brierley is the manager at Blackburn SACT Unit. The matron for Cancer services is Angela Holden.

Key staff

The unit has one senior sister, three junior sisters and eight staff nurses who are all trained in administering Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT)

The unit has three health care assistants and three ward clerks.

All of our patients will be under the care of consultants.

https://elht.nhs.uk/services/chemotherapy-unit-burnley-primrose-unit

General enquiries

The Unit provides a 24 hour helpline for patients or relatives to call if required.

Telephone number is 01254 734590.

Opening/visiting times

The chemotherapy unit is open from 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday, but is closed on bank holidays. The trust provides a 24 hour helpline which is manned by trained systemic anti-cancer therapy nurses, so advice is always available for our patients. Visitors are not allowed on the unit at any time during opening hours, for patient safety due to the space available and patients are immunocompromised whilst undergoing treatment. If you do need to bring a relative or carer with you, please call the unit beforehand and ask to speak to the nursing team.  

Additional Information

Whilst on the unit our patients will be offered hot and cold beverages and are provided with either a hot or cold meal at dinner time. Our patients are allowed to bring in their own food and soft drinks if desired. We have a television in the chemotherapy unit. Many of our patients bring their own books or tablets to keep themselves occupied whilst sitting and having their treatments.

If any special preparation is required for treatments, we will contact the patient via phone to inform them exactly what is required.