UHNM welcomes first patient to new Breast Care Unit at County Hospital
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has welcomed its first patient to its brand new, purpose-built Breast Care Unit at County Hospital in Stafford.
The new unit brings together one-stop clinics, diagnostic imaging, outpatient care and support services in a dedicated space, helping provide a more joined-up and streamlined service for patients.
It includes four consultation rooms, an enhanced treatment room, three counselling rooms, two mammography rooms and two ultrasound rooms, alongside state-of-the-art imaging technology.
It replaces the previous breast unit at County Hospital, which was no longer able to meet the demands of modern breast care.
The purpose-built unit has been designed with clinical teams to improve patient flow and privacy, reduce the need for patients to move between different areas and create a calmer and more welcoming environment.
Helen Bishop, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was the first patient to be seen in the new unit.
The 59-year-old teaching assistant said: “The care that you get from the breast care team at UHNM is just phenomenal. Right from the beginning, it’s the atmosphere that stands out, all the staff are so friendly and reassuring, and you can tell they work really well together.
“It was an honour to be the first patient at the new Breast Unit. The care I had in the old unit was fantastic, but this is even better for patients in the future. It feels really calm, which makes such a difference when you’re feeling nervous.
“Today was a big day for me because I was waiting for results, but even though it’s the first day here, everything felt relaxed and I was quickly put at ease. I can’t fault the care I’ve had at all.”
Mr Sekhar Marla, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon, said: “This is an exciting day for the whole team. Our previous unit has served us well for many years, but this new facility allows us to deliver care in a way that better reflects how breast services work today.
“We now have more space, improved facilities and a layout that supports better patient flow, privacy and overall experience. A lot of work has gone into the design, with staff closely involved throughout, and that’s made a real difference to how the unit works in practice.
“It also helps us to future-proof the service as the number of patients we see continues to grow, and it’s something colleagues across the region are already really interested in seeing.”
The unit also features the latest diagnostic technology, including advanced imaging techniques that will allow more tests to be carried out at County Hospital, reducing the need for some patients to travel between the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Michelle Ellitts, superintendent radiographer, said: "Advances in technology and increasing referrals mean we need more space and facilities that support how we deliver care today.
“This new unit allows us to provide a smoother, more joined-up experience for patients, with better flow and the ability to carry out more tests in one place. Just as importantly, it creates a calm and reassuring environment at what can be a very frightening time.
“We want patients to feel they are in safe hands from the moment they walk through the door, and that’s not just about the equipment or the expertise, it’s about the whole environment and how it makes people feel.”
