New virtual reality experience at Spire Southampton Hospital helps patients to complete their bucket lists

Spire Southampton Hospital has launched a new, virtual reality headset experience for cancer patients. The idea came from current cancer services patient, Mr Daniel Johnson, who was treated for oesophageal cancer at Spire Southampton Hospital. His treatment was initially successful. But sadly, his cancer has progressed to his liver, and he is currently receiving a new regime of chemotherapy, but with a terminal diagnosis. 

Mr Johnson has a virtual reality head set at home and shared with the cancer services team the amazing things he has done using it. Base jumping, roller coasters, swimming with sharks amongst a few! He wanted to help set up a similar experience at Spire Southampton Hospital for patients who are not well enough, or will not have the opportunity, to experience things they have always planned or dreamed about.

The cancer services team were moved by his amazing idea and purchased a virtual reality headset naming it the ‘DJ’ experience. After Mr Johnson’s initials.

Mr Daniel Johnson and Sarah Sanger, Lead Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Spire Southampton Hospital pose with the virtual reality headset

Mr Johnson commented: "A VR headset is a great way for people to complete their bucket lists and experience things they haven’t had a chance too. And not only patients with terminal cancer, but also patients who are disabled, or have mobility issues so are unable to get to the places they would like to experience.’

‘I have a few favourite VR experiences so far, scuba diving, roller coasters, and sitting in a spit fire. But my all-time favourite is visiting the international space centre’

‘I just hope that other patients can benefit from it as much as I have."

Sarah Sanger, Lead Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Spire Southampton Hospital, said: “We were all so humbled by Daniel’s selflessness in thinking about other patients in the unit, when he is also experiencing a cancer journey himself. I am so thankful to him for asking me to arrange this. This is why we have named it after him.  I cannot wait to see how this impacts our patients journey when they come to the unit.”