Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB are delighted to announce that the planned new state of the art diagnostic unit for the Health Board is due to open at the end of January 2023. The Centre will be situated in the Gwaun Elai health park, just alongside the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant.
This £2m Unit was jointly funded by Welsh Government and the Health Board and will provide a ‘one-stop shop’ to patients referred from their GP.
The Snowdrop Breast Centre will provide care and support for patients with breast cancer not just through diagnosis and treatment but also enable all of their follow up appointments to take place in the same dedicated setting, this includes breast mammography, ultrasounds and biopsies. Having all the services in one specialist unit will enable the breast care team to easier plan treatment for patients including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, medication, prosthetic advice and fitting as well as counselling and complementary therapies.
Zoe Barber, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and Clinical Services Specialty Director for Breast Services at CTMUHB said: “‘The Snowdrop Breast Centre is an important and exciting development that will dramatically improve the breast care services we are able to offer our community. It will offer us a dedicated breast care unit with state of the art equipment, enabling our dedicated team to be part of a centre of excellence for breast services in Wales.”
The environment and furnishings have been carefully planned to have a relaxing feel and be sensitive to patient’s needs. This was the vision of the founder of charity ‘Giving to Pink’ Clare Smart and team. Clare underwent treatment for Breast Cancer in 2014 under the care of Eifion Vaughan-Williams who was also heavily involved in the support of this charity.
Those involved in the charity felt there was a need to make the experience for patients a more relaxing and calm one. Clare, Eifion and a team of women who had also received treatment for breast cancer started fund raising in 2014 and raised a huge £300k with the support from the community.
The charity is celebrating its 8th year Anniversary this month. This also coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the team are very excited to be announcing this dedicated centre which will have a positive impact on patients within the Health Board.
Clare Smart said: “I am delighted that the Snowdrop Centre is opening in the New Year – dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis is difficult at any time but now we are able to offer patients the kind of facilities they deserve. Our fundraising activities have been supported by the community and some very generous businesses to whom we are eternally grateful.”
