University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has opened a new £15.3m Breast Care Unit at County Hospital in Stafford, bringing breast imaging, diagnostics, outpatient clinics and support services together under one roof.
The facility, developed by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM), welcomed its first patients in April and formally opened on 5 October.
The two-storey unit replaces the hospital's previous breast care facilities, which had been in use for around 40 years and were no longer considered suitable for modern breast services.
It includes four consultation rooms, an enhanced treatment room, three counselling rooms, two mammography rooms and two ultrasound rooms, alongside new diagnostic imaging technology.
The new equipment means more tests can now be carried out at County Hospital, reducing the need for some patients to travel to Royal Stoke University Hospital for diagnostics.
The facility has been designed to improve patient flow, privacy and accessibility, while bringing different elements of the breast care pathway together in one location.
Clinical teams, patients and community representatives were involved in the design process, with the aim of creating a facility that is easier to navigate and better suited to the needs of patients and staff.
The unit was formally opened by former patients and community representatives who had contributed to its design.
Among them was former patient Celia Jarrett, who said having consultations, scans and results available in one location had made a significant difference to her experience.
“This fantastic new facility is a significant investment in breast care at County Hospital and will make a real difference to patients by bringing more services together in one modern environment closer to home,” said Helen Ashley, Acting Chief Executive at UHNM.
The Breast Care Unit is the latest investment at County Hospital, following the Staffordshire Treatment Suite, North Midlands Hand Centre and £9.8m Day Case Unit.
EMS Healthcare, a UK-based company that specialises in delivering mobile healthcare solutions, also delivered a temporary mobile endoscopy unit in just five weeks at the hospital in 2024.
