It has been made quicker and easier for cancer patients at Jersey's General Hospital to get their medication.

Certain drugs can now be dispensed directly on the oncology unit, rather than at the pharmacy.

The change has taken months of planning because of the requirement to administer only specially pre-packaged cancer drugs.

It has been done as part of work to find ways of improving the lives of cancer patients.

Now the most-frequently dispensed drugs  - such as antibiotics and pain relief - are kept within the department.

It means patients no longer need to get their prescription and wait for the hospital pharmacy to dispense the medication.

Rachael Conway, unit manager, says it has made a big difference.

"These patients have just had their treatment-  they might be feeling nauseous.  The last thing they want to do is sit around waiting or have to move around the hospital.

"We can give them their medication. They can take it and go straight home.

Sometimes (patients) have to come in every week, sometimes twice a week, for different treatments. Their time is precious. They do not want to spend all their time in our department, or in the hospital, because they have jobs to go to, or children to pick up.  They have got lives to get on with.

"This as all about making it easier for the patients."

Events are taking place in Jersey today (4 February) to mark World Cancer Day.

Fort Regent will be lit orange tonight in a show of support for islanders affected by the disease.