A PATIENT undergoing chemotherapy at Worcestershire Royal Hospital has designed and created discreet covers for patients to wear to cover the insertion lines used for their treatment.

Terri Preece, a second time cancer survivor from Worcester, aged 61, has been sewing special lace clothing covers which cover the PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) lines patients have planted.

A PICC line, usually in the upper arm for their treatment, is an intravenous access line used to administer chemotherapy or other IV treatments to patients at home or in hospital. The PICC lines remain in place when they leave hospital so that treatments can be managed again without having to re-insert a catheter each time.

The covers designed by Mrs Preece provide an attractive accessory and can be customised in several different colours which can be used to match an outfit or a particular mood. The idea is to hide the PICC line from view and helps chemotherapy patients maintain normality.

Terri Preece was diagnosed back in March this year, after already being a cancer survivor when she was 28.

Mrs Preece said: “I hate looking at my insertion line, it is so ugly. It is just a reminder of how awful cancer is.

“I feel like the covers empower people.

“The covers are really simple to make but are really effective at disguising a PICC line. You can decorate them however you like to suit the patient. I’ve made children’s ones with rainbows and colours on or you could make one to look like a tattoo sleeve or whatever you like.”

Mrs Preece has so far made the covers for more than 10 other patients she’s met during her chemotherapy treatment at the hospital.

She added: “I’ve had a really good reaction from them so far and they only take one minute to make - all you need is some elastic lace and a sewing machine!

“I will be having chemo until around Christmas time. So, until then I will be making more covers to whoever would like one.

“Most people will know of someone who has had chemo or needed a PICC line at some point, so there are lots of people who could benefit from this and it’s just something nice that people might like to do for themselves.

“The staff in the Rowan Suite at Worcestershire Royal Hospital have been fantastic. I thank all of them for their hard work.”

Jane Rutter, Matron for Rowan Suite at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, said: “I’ve never seen these before, it’s a really simple idea but so effective. It’s especially nice in this hot weather as it’s so light and airy and you’re more likely to have your arms on show.”