IT’S The little things that can make a difference if you are going through cancer treatment and a new massage treatment service is now being offered to patients of Airedale hospital to help improve their health and wellbeing.

The service for cancer patients has been launched thanks to a new partnership between the hospital and The Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa at Coniston Cold.

The therapy is the first in the country to be offered on the mobile cancer care unit, a £265,000 bus which visits sites across the area and which was funded by charity Hope for Tomorrow.

Specially qualified therapists will visit the bus and the day unit at the hospital once a month and offer complimentary 30 minute hand and arm or head and neck massages for patients having treatment.

The therapists are trained to use Jennifer Young products which are designed specifically for patients who are having cancer treatment or who have had treatment in the past.

They are all organic, gentle to the skin and have fewer essential oils to help patients who may have nausea symptoms. Massage has been shown to reduce pain, fatigue and anxiety and improve movement and sleep, all things that are important to patients with cancer.

Andrew Gold, chairman of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said: “For patients who need cancer treatment we really want to go that extra mile and improve the service. The facility that is being provided by Coniston Hotel is something wonderful and unique and we are very grateful for their support.”

Nick Bannister, Director of The Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa said: “We are very excited by this initiative; we know that cancer touches every life and every family in different ways and so we are very pleased to be involved. As I personally know at the moment, cancer is an extraordinary time for anyone and if we can help in whatever way through our team here in making it any easier, then we are delighted.”

Tina Seymour, head of NHS Operations for Hope for Tomorrow added: “This is such an amazing idea, cancer care units used to be chemotherapy treatment units but now they do so much more. This is about wellbeing, looking after patients and making sure that the patient experience is amazing, we’re really proud to be involved.”

Patient Sheenagh Stapleton from Long Preston said: “I think the massage service is ideal because some people lose their nerve endings after cancer treatment so it leaves your hands and feet very susceptible to cold and numbness, so something like this is perfect.

“I’ve used the bus a few times and it’s really convenient. I live 20 miles from Airedale so when the bus comes to Booths in Settle it’s so close and makes my life so much easier. It’s fabulous and the team on board are lovely as well.”