Florence and the Outwood Ward team celebrate the end of her treatment
A new end of treatment bell installed on the children’s ward at East Surrey Hospital is helping children celebrate completing treatment for cancer.
Florence, who is nine years old, became the first patient to use the bell as she celebrated the end of two years of treatment for leukaemia alongside her mother, father and best friend.
Florence’s mother Vanessa tweeted: “In awe of the incredible paediatric team on Outwood ward for 2 years of safe, compassionate care. Florence rang the new end of treatment bell today & party with ward and community staff to celebrate. #grateful”
Donated by the UK-wide charity, End of Treatment Bells, young cancer patients can celebrate reaching the end of their treatment by ringing the bell and reading a short poem inscribed on the bell’s plaque.
Staff say the bell brings valuable positive moments to the ward and helps young people celebrate important milestones in their care.
Louisa Uwins, paediatric oncology clinical nurse specialist at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: “We are so pleased to have Florence and her family ring the end of treatment bell. We are very proud of Florence and it has been so lovely for myself and the staff on the unit to mark this big occasion with her, after getting to know her over the past 2 years.”
