Hywel Dda Health Charities on launch of Bronglais Chemo Appeal

A fundraising appeal is being launched today to raise the remaining £500,000 needed to provide a purpose-built Chemotherapy Day Unit at Bronglais General Hospital.

With the help and support of people from across Ceredigion and beyond, the vision of a brand-new chemotherapy unit for local people can become a reality.

One in two people across Wales will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime; it is a condition which sadly affects nearly all families. Over 60 people a week receive vital anti-cancer treatment at Bronglais Hospital, a total of around 300 people a year from across Ceredigion, south Gwynedd and north Powys.

The development of a new unit will cost in the region of £2.2m, with a total of nearly £1.7m already confirmed for the scheme, largely thanks to the generosity of our local communities.

Through the Bronglais Chemo Appeal, there is now a final push for the remaining £500,000.

The overriding aim of the development is to provide a modern, fit-for-the-future chemotherapy day unit to improve the patient experience.

The physical environment of the current chemotherapy day unit is not designed for the purpose of delivering anti-cancer treatment. The current unit is located in an outdated, open-plan area, surrounded by a number of other outpatient clinics and requires significant modernisation to deliver anti-cancer treatment into the future.

Plans have been approved by Hywel Dda University Health Board for the chemotherapy unit to remain at its current location and for the footprint of the unit to be extended and fully refurbished.

The need for this development has been discussed for a number of years. Now that the scheme has been approved the aim is for construction to start on the new unit in February 2023.

The Bronglais Chemo Appeal is being launched by Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board – and £500,000 needs to be raised for construction work to start.

Peter Skitt, County Director for Ceredigion at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “When talking to patients, we hear many fantastic things about the care and support offered by staff and the way they frequently go above and beyond the call of duty to help patients. But the area housing the unit needs updating to reflect the outstanding care and dedicated people who work here.

“A new chemotherapy day unit would mean provision of an improved experience for our patients in a modern, fit-for-the-future facility that is tailored for patients at different stages of cancer, offering more comfort, privacy and dignity.

“The final design for the new unit will be led by staff who know best what the unit should provide and what the environment should feel like. Patients and other key stakeholders will also be engaged in this process.”

Gina Beard, Lead Cancer Nurse, said: “This appeal means an awful lot to the staff. The team at Bronglais Hospital provides an excellent service but know it could be even better with improved

surroundings that create a more positive and bright environment.

“Having a purpose-built unit would mean more privacy to meet our patients’ differing needs as they go through their treatment. We really need the help of our local communities as we simply can’t wait for construction work to start!”

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager for Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “Our local communities have been so generous already, with over three-quarters of the funding secured. We are now just £500,000 short of our target to be able to provide a new unit and we are appealing for public help to raise these vital funds and support us in any way they can.

“Together we can help give cancer patients a better experience and make a new, fit-for-the-future chemotherapy unit a reality.”

How to support the appeal/ways to donate:

Online: The easiest and quickest way to donate is by visiting our fundraising appeal webpage www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk, where you can either make a secure one-off donation or set up a regular monthly donation for the duration of the appeal

By post: Please make all cheques payable to ‘Bronglais Chemotherapy Day Unit Appeal T392’ and send to our Head Office: Hywel Dda Health Charities, Hafan Derwen, St David’s Park, Jobswell Road, Carmarthen, SA31 3BB. Remember to include your contact details and please don’t send any cash through the post

Fundraising for the appeal: Online fundraising pages can be set up via the appeal web page at www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk. Alternatively, paper sponsorship forms, collection boxes and buckets can be also provided to supporters on request. Please contact the Fundraising Team for more information on bronglaischemoappeal.hdd@wales.nhs.uk or call 01970 613881

BACS: Bank details for BACS/online bank transfers can be provided to supporters on request. Please contact the Fundraising Team for more information on bronglaischemoappeal.hdd@wales.nhs.uk or call 01970 613881