Surrey and Sussex patients will have access to the latest digital technology for breast cancer diagnostic services after a new digital mammography unit was officially opened by Crawley MP Henry Smith.15 February 2012
DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT OFFICIALLY OPENS
Surrey and Sussex patients will have access to the latest digital technology for breast cancer diagnostic services after a new digital mammography unit was officially opened by Crawley MP Henry Smith.
The machine in the unit cost around £680,000, and uses the latest digital technology. It replaced a machine that was coming to the end of its working life.
The mammography machine was purchased by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare (SASH) NHS Trust last year but could not be installed until major renovation work had been carried out. This renovation included a brand new unit at the hospital to house it.
The unit became fully operational in January this year, and is currently taking up to 18 patients per day, five days per week.
Every Thursday, the One Stop Clinic at the unit provides 'same day' referral as patients attend clinic, are referred to a consultant and diagnostic searches are carried out. During the rest of the week, the unit deals with pre-booked appointments and follow up appointments
Mr Adrian Ball, Lead Consultant for Cancer Services at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "We receive a lot of positive feedback from patients and GPs about the one-stop breast cancer service at Crawley Hospital and this new unit is certainly enhancing that service. For patients to receive imaging and diagnosis in one day removes a great deal of anxiety."
The new unit provides:
Michael Wilson, Chief Executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said, "I was delighted to be at the official opening of this service. The digital mammography unit allows the expansion of breast cancer diagnostic services, increase patient access, reduces waiting times and will improve image quality."