The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust is now running its cancer service seven days a week - and the expansion means it's easier for patients like Hunain Haider to manage their "hidden disability".
The Trust has expanded its day treatment service at the Freeman to help the rising demand for cancer care - something that has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Previously, it ran Monday to Friday - seeing around 60 patients each day for treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and in 2021 the service delivered more than 18,000 appointments to 3,000 patients.
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The seven-day expansion means medics will be able to get people onto treatments quicker - the service now runs from 8am to 7pm every day.
Senior Sister Ashleigh Hughes said: "During the last two years Covid-19 has had a major impact on cancer care, meaning unfortunately some people are waiting longer than we would like to receive treatment.
"Once you have been told worst news possible and then that you need treatment, you are then anxiously waiting for it to start. This expansion means we can offer more appointments than ever, reducing the waiting time to start treatment."
Ashleigh said another benefit was that patients could attend treatment without having to compromise their working lives.
"This opens up the opportunity for patients living with cancer who still want - and are able - to work to have greater flexibility with appointments," she said. "That, in turn, ultimately gives them financial security which is a huge concern for many of our patients."
Hunain, 25, was diagnosed with the blood disorder Beta thalassaemia major aged just three.
The condition has similarities with leukaemia - and since his diagnosis Hunain, a Newcastle -based project support officer, has needed blood transfusions and blood cross-matching every fortnight.
Because of the nature of the treatment, this can take place at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman.
Hunain said having previously had to have treatments on weekdays meant he had "missed a lot of key events in my life such as education, work and placements".
He added: "I studied law at university, and if my seminars or lectures happened at the time of my blood transfusion, my studies were negatively impacted by this disruption.
"I have been through a lot, and side-lined a lot of opportunities in my life, so I wanted to find a way to be able to balance my treatment and life more effectively."
After speaking to nurse specialist Mel Hall - he was told he could attend the expanded service at the Freeman - "This came at the perfect time for me and has opened up so many layers of new opportunities," he added. "Even though I have a hidden disability, I want to live well like everyone else."
