On Monday 31 March, the Vermuyden Centre in Doncaster hosted a hugely successful cancer screening event, funded by the Thorne and District Lions Club who approached CHP Operations and Relationship Manager, Dawn Turner.
The initiative started with an idea to run on-site prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests. This simple blood test measures the level of PSA in a man’s blood with elevated levels potentially indicating prostate cancer or other potential prostate conditions.
Following further conversation, the event extended to additional tests such as the Primary Care Health Vehicle, known as ‘Vincent Van Cough’, being stationed in the car park throughout the day. The team were thus able to deliver cervical smear tests giving women the chance to receive vital screening in the community.
Other support services were also involved in the day including the Doncaster Macmillan Lead, who dedicated the entire day to the event alongside her team. Additionally, NHS Mental Health Services who work with individuals with long-term conditions including cancer were present to offer support and information. The courtyard was made available as a safe and welcoming space for attendees to relax and chat informally.
The impact of the day was significant with approximately 120 men taking advantage of the PSA screening. CHP’s buildings are designed to be hubs in their community, not just healthcare buildings and events such as this cancer screening day highlight the power of community collaboration. It also shows how CHP buildings are in prime position to help those in areas of high health need receive services and tests within having to travel to a hospital setting.
It was brilliant to see such a good attendance at the Vermuyden centre during the cancer screening day. I have had a lot of positive feedback and the numbers of people taking tests speaks for itself. Having never done anything like this event before, the response was fantastic and I’m looking forward to working with the Thorne and District Lions group, our NHS and LIFTCo partners and other charitable groups in the future
Find out more about Buildings at the Heart of the Community
CHP’s Buildings at the Heart of the Community initiative aims to encourage local community groups and charities to make the most of our buildings by enabling the use of space in our centres to host health and wellbeing related events.
