CHEMOTHERAPY patients are benefiting from reduced waiting times and a better service, thanks to the expertise of the pharmacy department at Gateshead Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

New staff at the Gateshead NHS Trust's pharmacy have taken on full dedicated responsibility for the mixing of formulas of intravenous chemotherapy treatments.

Chemotherapy treatment is a complex area and the trust has introduced a centralised intravenous additive service.

This means that all intravenous treatments, administered to patients by drip or by injection, are prepared in pharmacy rather than on the wards to ensure the rapid production of individual doses with the highest accuracy, sterility and stability.

Aseptic services manager David Sproates said: "Patients receiving chemotherapy often have impaired immune systems. It's crucial we ensure that their injections are prepared in the perfect clean room environment which the pharmacy offers.

"We're improving our support service for nursing staff as well as saving patients valuable time."