Chemotherapy Treatment Chairs
Enhancing comfort, safety, and dignity for patients receiving life‑saving treatment close to home
For people undergoing chemotherapy or infusion treatment, comfort and safety during long, often physically challenging sessions make an enormous difference. At Dunstan Hospital, our chemotherapy chairs are not just pieces of equipment — they are where patients spend hours receiving the care that sustains them through some of the toughest moments of their health journey.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, Dunstan has been able to replace four chemotherapy chairs in recent years. These new chairs have transformed the patient experience, offering improved support, better adjustability, and enhanced comfort during treatment.
Why More Chairs Are Needed Now
With the ongoing expansion of services and the redevelopment of Dunstan’s new Oncology & Infusion Day Unit — one of the Foundation’s major capital projects — demand for modern chemotherapy chairs is increasing rapidly.
The new unit has been designed to provide:
more treatment capacity
a safer and more private environment
purpose‑built spaces for patients, families, and staff
the infrastructure needed to accommodate growing regional demand
As the unit grows, additional chairs are essential to ensure each treatment bay is fully equipped to meet patient needs.
Clinical Perspective
“We have been very fortunate to have replaced 4 chemotherapy chairs in the last couple of years from a generous donation and are now needing some more.
Our patients love the additional comfort and functionality of these chairs that make treatment easier to manage. The staff are able to access the patient more easily and work with them in a more functional way, supporting good ergonomic safety for our team.”
– Cath Haig, People and Specialist Services Director
Cath’s comments reflect what both staff and patients have experienced firsthand: modern chairs significantly improve the quality of care and the delivery of each infusion.
Growing Treatment Demand
Dunstan provides chemotherapy and infusion services for patients across Central Otago, reducing the need for lengthy travel to Dunedin or Invercargill for treatment.
Each year, our team delivers:
Over 1,900 local cancer and non-cancer infusion treatments every year
Care for patients from across the Wakatipu Basin, Upper Clutha, Teviot Valley, Maniototo, Clyde, Alexandra, Cromwell, and surrounding communities
As demand increases, the number of treatment bays — and therefore the number of chairs — must grow alongside the service.
Why These Chairs Matter
New chemotherapy chairs will directly support:
patient comfort during lengthy and physically taxing treatments
clinical safety, allowing nurses better positioning and safer workflows
infection‑control standards, with materials designed for medical environments
service expansion, enabling the new unit to operate at full capacity
a sense of dignity, helping patients feel cared for in a challenging time
These chairs are a small but essential part of the larger transformation of Dunstan’s oncology and infusion services.
Why This Is a High‑Impact Priority
This need supports the Foundation’s core commitments to:
high‑quality cancer care close to home
modern, purpose‑built treatment environments
safe, comfortable, patient‑centred care
supporting our region through times of vulnerability
Every chair represents a patient — a neighbour, a friend, a family member — receiving the care they need right here in their own community.