This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and to help raise awareness, we thought we’d take a look back at an emotional TV storyline that Medical Hire were privileged to be involved in on the cobbles of Coronation Street.
Back in November 2018, bubbly character Sinead Tinker’s life was suddenly turned upside down when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The diagnosis was even more difficult to accept due the fact that Sinead was pregnant with her first child – a child she so desperately wanted, and she was determined not to do anything that would harm the growing baby, including undergoing cancer treatment.
After weeks of hiding her condition, Sinead was forced to reveal the truth to her husband Daniel after she collapsed in the Rovers and was rushed to hospital.
Soon after, Sinead was given the all-clear to begin treatment and tentatively underwent her first course of chemotherapy. For these scenes, Medical Hire were asked to provide medical props and equipment to create the chemotherapy room. The team supplied a specialist chemotherapy chair, an infusomat drip and drip stand, a cannula, fluid bags, a patient monitor, and a range of consumables. The team also supplied hospital furniture and fittings to dress the set, including a visitor chair, a wall panel, lights, an overbed table, a range of hospital hygiene equipment and other accessories such as a plastic water jug, patient tumbler and hospital ID wrist bands.
After the first course of chemotherapy, Sinead continued to worry about the harm it might be causing her unborn baby and so she declined further treatment; instead opting for holistic alternatives. But in February 2019, the doctors found that her tumour had grown, and her baby had to be delivered prematurely by emergency caesarean.
Immediately after the birth of baby Bertie, Sinead underwent rigorous chemotherapy treatment, which was initially a success. But some months later, during a regular check-up, it was discovered that her cancer had returned and spread with a vengeance. She was sadly given only a few weeks to live. Medical Hire were honoured to be asked to be involved in the storyline once again at this tragic conclusion, providing experienced palliative care nurses who gave sensitive advice on Sinead’s final moments as she peacefully passed away in November 2019.
This hard-hitting storyline is a stark reminder of the importance of regular cervical screening – something that the Medical Hire team are very familiar with as the majority of our team members are female. Cervical screening has also hit the headlines recently with news that screening intervals will be increased from 3 years to 5 years. So, it’s more important than ever to book your smear test as soon as you’re invited!
Join us in raising awareness of cervical cancer prevention this week. Show your support for the Cervical Cancer Prevention Week campaign and tag your social media posts with #CervicalCancerPreventionWeek
*Image courtesy of ITV