Cambridge: Addenbrooke's Cancer Pledge
6 October 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 6 October 2013, 06:09
Women with breast cancer are to receive more comprehensive care at Addenbrooke's Hospital, thanks to the support of a national cancer charity.
The Cambridge University Hospitals breast unit signed a pledge with the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity, marking an affiliation between the Trust, researchers and fundraisers.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer provides support to units across the UK in the form of service information packs and procedure guides for patients.
They also fund research into breast cancer, making a partnership with them extremely valuable to the Trust and its patients.
Breast cancer unit lead Joanna Rowley, who was involved in developing the information pack now in use in the Rosie told Heart: "Breakthrough provide ongoing support and resources, and have helped us improve waiting times and the experience our patients have with us.
We now offer women a special bra and prosthetic up front following a mastectomy, improving their experience and reducing their length of stay and return visits.
Eluned Hughes, Head of Public Health at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, added: "Breakthrough Breast Cancer is delighted that Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Cambridge Breast Unit have taken up our Service Pledge for Breast Cancer.
The pledge will give patients using the Unit confidence that the hospital has listened to their views, that it understands their needs, and is prepared to act to ensure they provide the best possible services.
Our survey showed that, by and large, patients using the service were happy with their treatment at the Unit.
But this commitment from Addenbrooke’s will empower patients to speak up about what matters most to them about their local service, safe in the knowledge the hospital will act to meet their needs."
The breast unit sees 4,500 new referrals every year, serving patients from across the region.