Westmead Hospital - The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre

Dedicated dressing trolleys play an important role in enhancing the safety, comfort, and overall experience of patients receiving chemotherapy within the Cancer Day Care Suite (CDCS).

These trolleys provide a clean, organised, and dedicated space for the preparation and safe transport of essential medical equipment and supplies, ensuring that everything required for treatment is readily available at the point of care.

For patients, this means less disruption, reduced waiting times, and a smoother, more reassuring treatment journey. The structured use of dressing trolleys also supports strict infection prevention practices, which is especially vital for individuals with compromised immune systems.

By enabling nurses to deliver care efficiently and safely at the bedside or treatment chair, these trolleys contribute to a more comfortable and dignified experience for patients.

We are deeply grateful to the Dry July Foundation and funds raised by participants in the 2025 Dry July Campaign that have made this initiative possible, helping us to continue delivering safe, high-quality, and patient-centred care.

We are proud to acknowledge that this essential equipment has been made possible through funds raised in the Dry July 2025 Campaign, reflecting a shared commitment to improving patient safety, comfort, and the efficiency of care delivery.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) storage plays a vital role in safeguarding our patients, particularly within the Oncology ward where individuals are often immunocompromised. Patients undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy are significantly more vulnerable to infections, making stringent infection prevention practices essential to their care and recovery.

The use of dedicated PPE stands supports a safer clinical environment by minimising the risk of contamination. By storing PPE off the ground and in clearly designated spaces, we reduce exposure to environmental contaminants and ensure that equipment remains clean, accessible, and ready for use at all times.

By investing in structured PPE storage solutions, we are prioritising patient safety, enhancing staff workflow, and strengthening our collective commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care.

Importantly, consistent and appropriate PPE storage reinforces our commitment to infection prevention and control practices. These stands support adherence to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, promoting accountability, compliance, and a culture of safety across the ward.

One of our local fundraisers, Rose Fleig, is an amateur baker and a breast cancer survivor. Rose was 33 with two young boys aged 5 and 8 when she was diagnosed in October 2023.

This is Rose telling her story, in her own words.

Rose shared her experience of being diagnosed with Breast Cancer as a young mother with two small boys at home. “When I was going through treatment, my son would write notes, ‘I hope you get rest, Mama."

 “Looking at the big cherry blossom display on the ceiling of the radiation room funded by Dry July made my experience so much better than looking at a white ceiling,” Rose said. "I was told the centre had bought that display as well as the lovely new robes we wore during radiation treatment with the Dry July funds from last year."

Rose’s baking was featured at the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Dry July Campaign cake stall in 2025. Finally, Rose highlighted how important these funds are, "If I can raise money to help them do something to make the experience a bit more comfortable with other people going through treatment, then I definitely want to do something."

Through 12 years of participation in the Dry July campaign, CPMCC at Westmead Hospital has raised significant funds to support cancer service and facility improvements, enhancing the experience of patients and their carers throughout their cancer journey.

Thanks to this ongoing support, we’ve been able to deliver a wide range of impactful projects across our service, including:

• Purchase of Aboriginal Artwork to display in the Cancer service reception area

• Floral arrangements display in Radiation Oncology and cancer service main foyer

• Purchase of 4 x dressing trolleys for the delivery of chemotherapy treatment • Patient monitoring and measurement equipment for Brachytherapy Bunker and Linacs

• Mobile Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Stands with 2 Large Baskets- Oncology ward

• Renovations and refurbishment of all outpatients waiting areas within CPMCC, including replacement of all the chairs within the clinic consult rooms

• Installation of sky ceiling in Radiation Oncology. The project helps patients to look up at the backlit panels that feature various outdoor scenes, creating the illusion they are looking through the ceiling to the sky or into the ocean

• Replacement of all chemotherapy chairs at the centre

• Purchased of stylish patient gowns for breast cancer patients during their treatment

• Purchased 2 iPads with adjustable stands and speakers to help culturally and linguistically diverse cancer patients attending the day care clinic to communicate with interpreters via video link to better understand their complex treatments for Westmead Day Suite Cancer Care.

• Creation and printing of psycho-oncology brochures,

• Installation of art works within Westmead Cancer Service

• Provision of flowers and music within the centre to create a welcoming environment, • Purchased iPads to provide music in bunkers for our patients whilst receiving their daily treatment to reduce anxiety,

• Provision of physiotherapy weights for cancer related exercise routines,

• Purchased of new stylish patient gowns for breast cancer patients during their treatment

• Purchased of 4X patient monitoring system

• Purchased of tower fan

These initiatives help create a more welcoming, supportive, and patient-centred environment, making a real difference to how people experience treatment each day.

All of this has been made possible through the generosity of Dry July participants and donors.

Funds raised through Dry July 2026 will continue to support vital, patient-focused improvements across both outpatient and inpatient areas, helping ensure every patient and carer feels supported, comfortable, and cared for throughout their cancer journey.