A blood transfusion taking place in a
hospice, which in Northern Ireland can now
take place in a patient's home
Marie Curie Nurses have been trained to carry out the procedure in the home, so the patient does not have to go to hospital.
Blood transfusions benefit cancer patients as they improve quality of life by helping to relieve symptoms such as lethargy and breathlessness.
The charity is carrying out a six-month pilot of the project in conjunction with The Belfast Cancer Centre, and hopes to roll the initiative out to other cancer units in the future if it is successful.
The initiative is available to patients in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust area.
Paula Heneghan, area nurse manager for Northern Ireland, said: “Palliative patients receive the transfusions for symptom control.
“Some of the symptoms can include breathlessness and lethargy, and a blood transfusion can help with this and improve the patient’s quality of life.
“The service prevents hospital admission and is efficient and cost-effective. The Belfast Cancer Centre pays 50 per cent of the cost of the service, and Marie Curie Cancer Care pays the other half.
“Our strategy is to give patients the choice of where they are cared for, and we are committed to giving people the choice to die at home.”
Patients are referred to the service through the Marie Curie Cancer Care Referrals Centre, Belfast.
Paula said the initiative would be evaluated at the end of the pilot in September, which would include asking patients what they thought of the service.
