The Mobile Support Units offer patients In Wales more than lifesaving treatment; they are a haven where patients can get the support they need without the stress and expense of travelling long distances to hospital. People in Wales face challenges such as rurality, deprivation and poor care access. Tenovus Cancer Care, a Welsh Charity , already operates two units which deliver chemotherapy and associated treatments in local communities and is seeking to meet increasing demand with more units.
Currently 130,000 people are living with cancer in Wales and every year 19,000 more will receive this devastating diagnosis. Wales has a large rural population with cancer care located in relatively few centres of excellence in the larger cities. Patients may have to travel up to 150 miles for treatment. Hospital journeys can take hours before and then after an often difficult and debilitating treatment. Such travelling is not only detrimental heath-wise but is also expensive for patients.
The two existing units travel to different communities each day but cannot cope with a growing demand. Additional units will extend the geographical and frequency coverage of the treatment available. The units set up in local car parks, supermarkets and community venues providing easier accessibility. The unit will also be a space for a holistic approach to cancer care and education, providing treatment but also counselling services and recovery therapies for up to 1000 patients a year.
The Mobile Support Units take pressure off over-stretched cancer centres, faced with ever increasing demand. The unit with a life span of some 15 years improves the quality and reduces the cost of cancer treatment for the people of Wales.The new unit will be designed to the highest specification and fitted with the latest healthcare equipment and technology, providing treatments which have never before been given outside of hospital, supporting a wider range of cancers.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
