Cwm Taf University Health Board

Eifion Vaughan Williams

My name is Eifion Vaughan Williams, and I am Consultant Oncoplastic

Surgeon working for Cwm Taf NHS Trust and Breast Test Wales (Cardiff).

I was born in Cardiff and educated in Bryntaf Primary School and then at Ysgol Gyfun Llanharri.  I qualified from University of Wales College of Medicine in 1988. My surgical training was in South East Wales and was appointed to my current position in January 2002. I have treated over 1500 patients with Breast cancer.

Our Breast Unit in Cwm Taf  is one of the busiest in the country. The team of 3 Surgeons currently work on three sites (Royal Glamorgan  Hospital, Llantrisant, Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda, Llwynypia & Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr). The equipment and facilities are old and in desperate need of replacing.

At the time that Clare was diagnosed with her breast cancer, I was about to embark on a short term locum, to cover consultant leave, in The Peony Unit, Prince Philip Hospital Llanelli. This is a fantastic new breast unit opened about 4 years ago, from charitable funds and support from The welsh assembly Government. It is more like a 5 star hotel than a typical NHS hospital. It has state of the art equipment and provides “the best support to women throughout their treatment and recovery so that they can regain their health and their confidence to enjoy the rest of their lives”.

Having returned from West Wales, I was very envious and I felt that the women of Cwm Taf should have the benefit of a similar centre. We already have specialist medical team (including Surgeons, Radiologists, Oncologists, Radiographers  and Breast Care Nurses). We now need a new unit able to deliver care with advanced diagnostic facilities and advanced treatments. With Clare and her team`s help, together with the support of our trust this may now become possible.

“Giving to Pink” is a fundraising group set up by Clare and her supporting friends. I feel that this is symbol of hope for a brighter future for those women in Cwm Taf living with breast cancer.