Cancer patients from Totnes, Dartmouth and the surrounding areas will be able to receive their medication quickly and safely following investment in a specialised machine which prevents the transfer of germs during drug preparation.

The machine, known as a negative pressure isolator, is used in the production of high-risk medications which includes ready-to-administer injectable medicines such as chemotherapy and other specialist treatment. Isolators ensure that medication is prepared in a tightly controlled environment – including novel drugs used in clinical trials.

Following a successful bid for £88k to the national institute for health and care research (NIHR), the new isolator will provide additional space for drug preparation and improved access to medication for all patients, both research and non-research.

Louise Paatz, Accountable Pharmacist for Aseptic Services at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust said: “I’m delighted that colleagues from our research and development team have been able to procure this important equipment.

It means we can continue to support safe service delivery and maintain access to research and new therapies which in turn will benefit our patients. It’s going to make a real difference.”

As part of the pharmacy investment, Research and Development colleagues have also funded two new posts whose time will be split between research support and standard care.

This additional capacity will improve set-up times for new trials, ensure patient safety and allow other team members to focus on delivering treatment.

Dr Fiona Roberts, Research and Development Director said: “Research forms an essential part of the NHS.

“It’s a government high-priority area and a key enabler in our new Trust strategy.”

“As a successful research active Trust not only do we offer our local population the opportunity to access new and novel treatments, but we can access other NIHR investment opportunities.

“This brings in new additional external funding to improve our Trust infrastructure such as this this isolator unit in pharmacy aseptic services, creating much needed additional capacity and capability for both trials and standard of care work.”