Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity has launched a new fund to further improve the experience of radiotherapy patients while making sure they continue to receive the best possible care for East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT).

The fund has been launched in honour of Suzanne Isherwood, ESNEFT’s head of radiotherapy, who has retired after dedicating more than 41 years to the NHS.

Suzanne's passion for radiotherapy was first sparked by a visit to Leicester Royal Infirmary. Fascinated by the technology, she went on to complete her training as a therapeutic radiographer at Nottingham General Hospital before joining Ipswich Hospital in 1983.

Since then, Suzanne has helped to transform the radiotherapy services at ESNEFT while making sure patients remain at the centre of every new development.

Suzanne’s enthusiasm for providing the best possible treatment and patient outcomes has seen her represent the Trust at international conferences and push for ESNEFT to be at the forefront of medical advancements. This includes being one of the first trusts to offer intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). 

Suzanne said: “Half our job focuses on the technical side of radiotherapy, while the other half is supporting patients in their journey. If improving the environment and having the right support in place can make it easier for the patients, then I want to try and do it.

“The generosity of people has already made a huge difference to our patients. With the help of the radiotherapy charity funds, we’ve been able to purchase specialist equipment, install sky windows in our waiting rooms, and continue to fund smaller projects such as water bottles, washbags and gowns.

“By launching this new fund, Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity hopes to do even more for future patients while making their journey through treatment easier.”

As Suzanne steps into retirement, the charity is on a mission to continue making every visit to radiotherapy that much better for our patients and their loved ones, in the hope of making a difficult experience feel a little less daunting.