A patient undergoing cancer treatment at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) has donated a symbolic bell for his fellow patients to ring when a they reach a treatment milestone.

David Le Monnier, from Jersey has been in treatment since January and has been a regular patient at RBH. Currently on his fourth round of chemotherapy and waiting for a bone marrow transplant, he was inspired to donate the bell when seeing other patients on the ward.

David explained: “I recently went home for 10 days rest from treatment. When I came back into the department, I saw another patient being applauded by staff as she left after her final treatment.

“She asked if there was a bell, she could ring but the team said unfortunately there wasn’t. This was my lightbulb moment!

“This bell is for any and all patients. I want anyone who achieves anything to ring the bell. Although it is for patients in their treatment, I also want staff to ring it if they have had a good day at work. All achievements are important.”

The bell has been named the ‘Jersey Hope Bell’ and sits alongside this special message to fellow patients and those looking after them:

“A patient requires courage, resilience and determination to endure a course of treatment for cancer. It also requires the skill, knowledge and dedication of the doctors and nurses who administer the treatment.

“If you have just completed a course of treatment or have reached a positive landmark along the way, you might wish to ring the ‘Jersey Hope Bell’ to celebrate your achievement, to inspire other patients who follow you along a similar path and to thank all the staff from haematology in patient unit who have helped make it possible for you”.

Marie Miller, senior matron for cancer care, said: “As a team we really appreciate receiving the bell from David. Having a bell to celebrate the success milestones of a patients receiving their treatment is a massive boost not only for patients, but their families and our team. It is great that we can all come together to recognise this.”

David added: “I had the opportunity to ring the bell as I left for my break in treatment. It is very loud – it probably woke the whole ward up!”