COMPLIMENTARY massage treatments will be offered to cancer patients at Airedale Hospital as part of an initiative being launched next month.

Specialist therapists from the Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa, at Coniston Cold, will provide the service.

Patients being treated at the Steeton hospital’s cancer unit, HODU, and the mobile cancer care unit will be offered the therapies.

A launch event is being staged at the hotel on Monday, September 2, in conjunction with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and Hope for Tomorrow, the charity which funded the mobile unit.

Patients will be among those at the launch, and spa therapists will provide guests with a taster of the type of massages they’ll be offering – including hand, arm, neck and shoulder massages.

The service will take place monthly, alternating between HODU and the mobile unit.

Nick Bannister, managing director of the Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa, said he was delighted with the venture.

He added: “We have a long-standing relationship with Airedale Hospital and through our attendance at its staff open days we began discussing the opportunity to offer cancer patients a free massage service, as we were looking into training our spa therapists in specialist oncology massages.

“Our therapists are now trained in Jennifer Young, a British brand which has developed a range of specialised oncology massages and beauty treatments, so that we can confidently offer a range of treatments to those affected by cancer.

“We are absolutely delighted to be launching this new spa service with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and Hope for Tomorrow.

“It has always been part of our values to give back to the community and we hope that our service will make patients feel relaxed as they enjoy a massage and time to chat with our spa therapists.”

The service is welcomed by Patricia Dyminski, lead clinical nurse specialist for haematology, oncology and chemotherapy at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

She said: “We are so excited to join forces with the Coniston and Hope for Tomorrow to offer this great service to some of our patients.

“Sometimes patients undergoing cancer treatment can miss out on certain things in life, but this initiative will allow them to enjoy a gentle massage which is a great way to relax and unwind.”