Coronavirus update
The team at Friends of ANCHOR is closely monitoring the situation surrounding the current Coronavirus pandemic.
In these uncertain times our utmost priority is the safety of patients. With that at the forefront of our minds, and at the instruction of the senior team at NHS Grampian, we have temporarily suspended our wellbeing services within the ANCHOR Unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
While we are very sad to see this happen, we fully understand and respect the decision that has been made, and we will be ready and waiting in the wings when the green light is given to go ahead with supporting patients again.
The main reason behind this move is to limit non-essential contact with patients, which is crucial during this period. We know the wellbeing service has a lasting impact on patients and while we would love to see it continue, the reality is that the focus must be on treatment and protecting those who have weakened immune systems.
Our wellbeing provisions will still be available for all patients and will be distributed throughout the Unit by our ward assistants.
In these uncertain times more than ever, we feel a great sense of privilege to work alongside the incredible teams at NHS Grampian. Our heartfelt thanks and full support go to all those who are taking care of our loved ones in the ANCHOR Unit and throughout the whole medical setting.
Patients, please know your safety is paramount and at the centre of this NHSG decision. The NHSG website (www.nhsgrampian.org) will continue to give you the latest advice and information on how to best look after yourselves. We look forward to being able to switch our services back on as soon as it is safe to do so.
How we help
Friends of ANCHOR has served oncology and haematology patients throughout the North-east of Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland, since the ANCHOR Unit opened in 1997.
Run by a small team and stewarded by a committee comprised of senior representatives from the ANCHOR Unit wards and clinics, and the business community, the charity’s founding aim was, and remains to this day, to provide the best possible treatment, care and support to patients.
In the last five years alone, Friends of ANCHOR has invested £4m directly into research, equipment and wellbeing within the Foresterhill Health Campus. Read on to find out more about these investments.

Research
Funding local, leading research to push the boundaries in the fight against cancer



Equipment
Investing in the latest technology to continually develop and improve cancer diagnosis and treatment



Wellbeing
Offering additional care, comfort and support to patients during their time at the ANCHOR unit





The Friends of ANCHOR committee
The committee is comprised of senior representatives from the ANCHOR Unit wards and clinics, and the business community

CBE, DL, DHC, Hon DBA, Hon FRIAS
Chairman & Trustee

Senior Charge Nurse
Ward 310, ANCHOR Unit

Senior Charge Nurse
Ward 307, ANCHOR Unit

Public Relations Manager
Balmoral Group

Retired Professor of Haematology and Honorary Clinical Haematologist

Retired Oncologist,
Vice Chairman & Trustee

Fundraising and PR Manager,
Friends of ANCHOR & Trustee

Consultant
Haematologist

Balmoral Group Financial
Director & Trustee

Consultant in
Clinical Oncology

Consultant Medical
Oncologist

Senior Charge Nurse
Ward 112, ANCHOR Unit

Senior Charge Nurse
Ward 114, ANCHOR Unit

Consultant Haematologist,
Haemophilia Centre Director & Trustee