Table 1 Below shows themes and subthemes that emerged from data analysis

Waiting time

Short waiting time

“I am quickly attended to, 13 min, we do not have to wait that long.” (Participant 4, female, 75 years)

“Since I do not know how to count, I cannot say the exact time, but it was a few minutes.” (Participant 14, female, 69 years)

“We do not wait for too long. It is just a while, I do not have to wait that long.” (Participant 15, female, 59 years)

“I did not stay long; it was not more than 30 min.” (Participant 10, female, 37 years)

“It depends on the reasons for the visit; if its chemotherapy, I am quickly attended to, but if it is for anything else, it is around 30 min.” (Participant 9, female, 51 years)

“Over an hour.” (Participant 16, female, 61 years)

Availability of human resources

Always seen by clinicians on their hospital visits. “No, it did not happen to me, I always see a doctor.” (Participant 4, female, 75 years)

“No, I have never left without seeing a doctor.” (Participant 9, female, 51 years)

“No, it has not yet happened that I go home without seeing a doctor.” (Participant 12, female,

Always get prescribed medications. “Yes, I always get it [prescribed medications].” (Participant 7, male, 70 years)

“Yes, I got them [prescribed medications] all.” (Participant 9, female, 51 years)

“When I was coming here, I was told I would get them on Monday last week, but first I got them.” (Participant 11, female, 92)

Few participants reported not having their prescribed medication all the time they visited the hospital. “One time I was seen by nurses, but I was not given the injection I came for. I do not remember the reason why I was not given the injection.” (Participant 16, female, 61 years)

“I was prescribed medication in East London, where they did not make a prescription.” (Participant 19, female, 32 years)

“No, I have never been given pills here. It is only that injection.” (Participant 18, female, 63 years)

“I got the medication in East London.” (Participant 1, female, 70 years)

“Most of them did not tell me I was on treatment, so they just gave me the pills when I was there; the last time I was given pills was in eMadzikane; here in Mandela, I was not given pills. The doctor checked me and then told me to go.” (Participant 2, female, 49 years)

The attitude of healthcare workers towards cancer patients

Positive staff attitude, both nurses and doctors were nice and caring. “I see they are very loving and very caring.” (Participant 11, female, 92 years)

“Yes, they are nice people; no one has ever shouted at me.” (Participant 8, female, 52 years)

“The nurses are right people who can talk to people well.” (Participant 19, female, 32 years)

“They are nice people that you find that I can be thinking about them even when I am home.” (Participant 13, female, 66 years)

“They are very nice people. One of the nurses gave me R20 and a lift without me asking for it.” (Participant 12, female, 62 years)

Another participant added that she felt comfortable seeking advice from the nurses

“They are nice people, who are easy to talk to or ask about things you are experiencing.” (Participant 10, female, 37 years)

One participant had a negative report about the attitude of nurses

“The doctors are all nice, but there are only nurses who are rude.” (Participant 9, female,

Appropriate treatment and care

Satisfaction with the services offered to them at the unit. “I am fine with everything, the nurses and the four doctors I have seen; they are treating me well.” (Participant 17, female, 57 years)

Happy with the quality of services. “The treatment here is very good compared to the one in Frere.” (Participant 9, female, 51 years)

“They have good service delivery.” (Participant 7, male, 70 years)

“They treated me very well; this is my second visit since we were transferred here, and the treatment is good.” (Participant 15, female, 59 years)

High expectations of getting well

“I had hope. I did not think I was going to die; I was hoping that I will be all right. I thought I would be given IV drips; I did not know I was going to be given a pill. I thought when I start chemo, I will be worse or maybe have other sicknesses, but I saw myself getting better.” (Participant 14, female, 69 years)

“I was expecting to live and to be treated.” (Participant 17, female, 57 years)

“I did not know what to expect, I went to the doctor, and he said I had cancer, I wanted to live.” (Participant 13, female, 66 years)

Improved access to services

All the participants appreciated having this facility close to home and receiving cancer treatment. Patients can now access cancer care personnel and services with minimal delays. “The issue with East London is it will be dated 17 May, and I will meet with a doctor again on 17 June or July and but here it takes 27 days.” (Participant 17, female, 57 years)

“It used to be a long process because I would have to sleep here, then wake up here going to East London, and when I am coming back, it is still the same process.” (Participant 10, female, 37 years)

“It has made a big difference. Since we have started being treated here, things have been easy.” (Participant 12, female, 62 years)

“Coming here is a big difference because here you see a doctor soon/early and go home early. When I go to East London, I stay at the waiting room. It is cold and be transported to East London.” (Participant 16, female, 61 years)

"Now it takes one day to see a doctor. This place is helpful.” (Participant 6, female, 55 years)

“Coming here, I go back from on the same day, but the time I was going to East London, I would have to sleep here first before going to East London.” (Participant 12, female, 62 years)

“It is 2 days when I am going to East London, but it is a day coming here.” (Participant 17, female, 57 years)

“It was three days for East London; now it is a day.” (Participant 13, female, 66 years)

“I used to take a week to and from East London; now it is only a day to and from my home.” (Participant 9, female, 51 years)

Building

overcrowding at the center, fears of contracting Covid19. insecurity, lack of warm water for bathing, lost hospital files, and delayed delivery of laboratory results

“I am happy, but the process is tiring. It would be better if there were beds so that I get the drip in bed.” (Participant 12, female, 62 years)

Safety and security

“The water is cold for bathing in the morning for those who sleep here. There is also the issue of security guards. It is not safe where we are sleeping when going to East London. There is a mistake in the list that is made when we get into these ambulances going to East London. Moreover, as there is a Covid, the place where we sleep is congested.” (Participant 9, female, 51 years)

“The results take longer to come out, and at times they say that your file is lost, they should take note of that.” (Participant 16, female, 61 years)