Breast cancer patients in the South Wales Valleys are set to benefit from a specialist breast cancer unit which will be established at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital
A centre of excellence in breast cancer care is set to be built for patients in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr Tydfil.
Cwm Taf University Health Board has confirmed that integrated breast care services will be established at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Ynysmaerdy, near Llantrisant , from early 2017.
A team of three surgeons currently work on three sites in the area – and the facilities have been described as “old and in desperate need of replacing”.
Board members approved the plans
But a new specialist breast cancer centre aims to centralise services and offer more advanced diagnostic facilities and treatments.
Funds will be given to the scheme from the charity Giving to Pink which will help patients feel like they are away from the usual hospital setting and more at home with subtle lighting and furnishings.
A spokeswoman for Cwm Taf University Health Board said: “An integrated breast care service will be established in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital from early 2017 following approval from board members.
“Following extensive engagement and planning all breast care services will be located on one site including outpatients, diagnostics, nursing and patient support services.
“While most breast surgery already takes place at the Royal Glamorgan, the re-designed service will mean that all breast surgery will now take place at the hospital.
“Our priority is to consolidate all existing services currently being delivered across Cwm Taf in one place so that we can improve the experience for patients and achieve diagnostic certainty as quickly as possible.
“At the same time, we will be looking at ways in which we can improve the environment of care for this patient group.”
‘Let’s Turn Cwm Taf Pink for the Day’
More than £150,000 has already been raised by Giving to Pink since it was founded in 2014.
The not-for-profit group is spearheaded by breast cancer patient Clare Smart who has made it her mission to improve cancer services in Cwm Taf.
Clare Smart (bottom row, second from left) with other members of Giving to Pink
In an effort to raise awareness of the campaign – and the need for specialist breast cancer services in the South Wales Valleys – an event is set to take place next month called ‘Let’s Turn Cwm Taf Pink for the Day’.
On Friday, October 14, businesses, schools, sports clubs and NHS staff will all join forces to raise money for the centre.
Clare Smart, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2014 and underwent a mastectomy, said people can be as creative as they like.
The mum-of-two said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for communities in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr to show just what can be achieved when we work together to raise money for a great cause.
“We are a very small group of fundraisers who against the odds have raised a substantial amount of money.
“As the fundraising campaign goes on it does get harder and harder, but we are determined to make sure that ‘Let’s Turn Cwm Taf Pink Day’ is a huge success that will show the rest of the UK what a great community can do when they pull together.”
Source Wales Online