My Breakthrough
'Dream' breast unit opens
In July this year, a brand new breast unit opened at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire, one of Breakthrough’s Service Pledge sites.
Described as ‘amazing’ by one patient, the new unit was a long-term ambition of the staff, who until July, were based in a Portakabin. In response to patient surveys and interviews carried out by Breakthrough during 2007, patients highlighted the importance of housing breast services under one roof.“I’m passionate about the campaign, and the Service Pledge helped us to get the unit we’d wanted for a long time”, said breast care nurse Doreen Macaskill Refaat, who led the Service Pledge project at the hospital.
The contrast with the old Portakabin could not be more marked. Patients are now greeted by a receptionist and care has been taken to ensure there is plenty of space, from the dedicated prosthesis-fitting room to the toilets and breast care nurses’ office. A special feature at the new unit is the counselling room on the ground floor, where Doreen can speak to patients in private. Patients spoke warmly of the importance of this service during the survey.
With everything under one roof and adequate space, life is easier for both patients and those treating them. The new unit at the Pilgrim Hospital is an excellent reflection of the guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer, which states that “Breast cancer treatment should be offered in a pleasant and appropriate physical environment”.This is a view strongly supported by Breakthrough. The Service Pledge campaign enables patients to describe what matters most to them about their breast service, and has regularly highlighted that the environment, as well as the clinical service, can make a real difference to breast cancer patients.
Ultrasonographer Mandy Holland runs a clinic for women under 35, using ultrasound imaging as part of the diagnosis process. She says, “The new unit provides a spacious, relaxing environment where we hope women feel that their care is personalised. It allows many of their diagnostic imaging needs to be performed in one place so that we are able to provide as much continuity of care as possible.”
It is a much better environment for both staff and patients alike and makes the clinic a less stressful place to be.”A former breast cancer patient, Annette Simpson, commented, “It’s gorgeous, like entering a different world from the rest of the hospital. The colours are stunning and everything blends in. Walking through reception, I was greeted politely and with a winning smile – it’s a great experience!”An average of 120 patients visit the unit every month, with just under 200 breast cancers diagnosed every year. The team is already looking to the future, including planning for the roll-out of digital mammography in 2010.
The unit’s two breast care nurses are also dedicated to helping patients in new ways. A discussion group for patients is running once a month, and in October a physiotherapist began offering an exercise programme to help women counter the effects of fatigue.
“It’s what our patients deserve”, said breast care nurse Linda Fisher when Breakthrough visited the new unit. “One patient described it to me as ‘a dream’.”
