Chemotherapy

The Headland Unit

This purpose-built unit was opened in 2010. We have a team of 25 specialist staff, treating between 6,000 and 7,000 patients each year. It has three outpatient treatment rooms, each with space for seven patients, together with side rooms, treatment preparation rooms, consulting rooms, reception and waiting areas. The unit was specially designed to make chemotherapy treatment as comfortable as possible for our patients.

We also have a special area for teenagers and young people, with access to computers, TVs and Wi-Fi.

Visiting the Headland Unit

The Headland Unit is on the site of the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. Find out more about coming to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

The Mobile Chemotherapy Unit

We are also fortunate to have the benefit of a mobile chemotherapy unit that is maintained by the charity, Hope for Tomorrow. The unit travels around Cornwall and can treat between 12 and 15 patients per day. It is fitted out just like a small hospital bay, with recliner chairs and access to all the facilities needed to provide chemotherapy, and a support vehicle to transport the nursing team. The unit is suitable for many patients having chemotherapy, although some treatment regimes are particularly complex and need the back up of facilities only available in hospitals.

The unit makes a big difference for patients living in places far away from the Royal Cornwall Hospital, where trips for chemotherapy can take up to an hour and a half each way.

If you think you could benefit from having your chemotherapy in the mobile unit, please speak to your Specialist Nurse.