The aseptic pharmacy unit at Poole Hospital is going to be delivering an improved service to patients with cancer using two new state-of-the-art chemotherapy preparation cabinets.

The isolators are used to prepare cytotoxic drug treatments in ultra-clean conditions, essential for patients with challenged immune systems. Cytotoxic drugs need to be handled and prepared in a rigorously controlled environment to protect patients but also to protect staff as many of the drugs don’t just act on cancer cells, but any cells in their growth stage.

The technology in the new cabinets will also reduce the risk of errors as the dose of chemotherapy needed is automatically imported into the machine via the hospital’s prescribing system. Internal scales, a camera and barcoding device then ensure every step of the drug production is accurate, with the cabinet’s IT system alerted if a part of the preparation is incorrect.

Lyn Jackson, lead pharmacist for cancer services, said: “These are extremely exciting times for us within the unit at Poole with an investment of just over £150,000 to improve our working. The cabinets will allow our fantastic pharmacy team to be even more efficient, helping them to support the increasing number of patients needing these treatments. That in turn means less waiting time for our patients which is really important at what can be a very anxious time.”