A new wellbeing space called The Nest has been officially opened in the Mammography Department of the Hospital to help reduce anxiety for breast cancer patients.
The initiative – which is funded by breast cancer charity ABC Jersey – aims to provide patients with a warmer alternative to “traditional consultation” rooms.
In a statement, the charity explained: “For many Islanders, attending breast screening appointments, diagnostic tests or follow-up investigations can be an anxious experience.
“The Nest has been created to provide a comfortable and reassuring environment where patients can take a moment to gather their thoughts, speak with loved ones, or simply enjoy a quiet space before or after appointments.”
ABC Jersey patron Lady Kyd appeared at the Le Quesne Unit of the Hospital yesterday for The Nest’s formal opening.
Gary Bellot, chairman of ABC Jersey, said the room would serve as an alternative to the “normal traditional consulting room”.
“We’ve made it look very friendly, quiet, nice and colourful,” he said. “We wanted it to be relaxed, we wanted plants, we wanted pictures on the wall, and we had a fan put in there because it gets too hot.
“We’re [also] going to do a lot more renovation work within the unit here: so new flooring, new seats, curtains, lockers and a coffee machine.”
Mr Bellot added that the initiative formed part of a broader effort to support both breast cancer patients and their families “in lots of different ways”.
“Obviously, our main aim is to support, help and educate in relation to breast cancer,” he said. “We’ll help with flights to the UK, we’ll help with food vouchers, we’ll help with beauty packs, with aesthetics, with bras and swimming costumes.
“So The Nest is on the diagnosis and treatment side of it, but we also help with the aftercare as well.”
He expressed his delight at having Lady Kyd on board as the charity’s new patron.
“She’s been phenomenal,” he reflected. “She’s amazing, she understands everything, she talks well, she’s medically trained – so it’s been great having her as a real added value to our charity.”
Mr Bellot – who arrived at ABC Jersey six months ago having previously served as the chair of Stroke Association Jersey – outlined his optimism for breast cancer treatment in Jersey more broadly.
“The team in Jersey are fantastic,” he observed. “The nurses are good, the doctors are good, and everybody talks very highly of them – so that’s a lovely team to work with.
“They are all very friendly, and all the patients always compliment everything that’s happened here with them, and I get a good feel from it.”
