£200,000 cancer unit target

People are being urged to back a £200,000 appeal to set up a permanent breast cancer screening unit at Newark Hospital.

A mobile digital screening unit, provided by Nottingham University Hospitals, currently visits Newark for six months at a time.

It provides specialised x-rays that help identify cancer.

Fundraisers say a permanent unit would be more comfortable and provide privacy and dignity for patients.

A Newark businesswoman is leading the public appeal for money to pay for a state-of-the-art digital mammography mach- ine for a planned unit in the Sherwood Women’s Centre at the hospital.

Mrs Elaine Ellison (56) said: “If you have ever had a mammogram in the mobile unit you will know how serious the situation is.

“It really is out of date. It is almost a postcode lottery and Newark has a second class service.”

The campaign is being backed by the Pink Ladies, a Southwell breast cancer support group.

A member of the group, Mrs Valerie Pearson (63) of Lower Kirklington Road, said improving services at Newark Hospital would make a huge difference.

Mrs Pearson, whose cancer is in remission, said: “The mobile unit at Newark is just awful.

“Waiting for the results of a mammogram is very stressful but it is a lot easier when you are in a pleasant environment.

“When I was first diagnosed I was shown into the mobile unit. It was cramped and hot and there were no windows so there was no natural light and it made it more awful.

“When they opened the new breast unit at the City Hospital and it was bright and open and there were potted plants and artwork on the walls, it made a real difference psychologically being in a pleasant environment when you are very stressed.”

Mrs Pearson said many had to use public transport to go to Nottingham City Hospital, which was not easy.

She chose to be screened at Nottingham because she hated the mobile unit at Newark but would return to Newark when the new centre opened.

The Pink Ladies will hold events to raise money for the new unit during the year.

Among the events they have planned are a coffee morning, and a quiz night at the Minster School, Southwell, on Saturday, February 28.

The chairman of Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust, Tracy Doucet, said: “It is a large amount to raise but people do not have to give big amounts. It all makes a difference.

“The mobile unit is great but it does not offer the greatest dignity and privacy.

“It is clearly important to the community and therefore it has to be one of our priorities.”

Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust will pay the £50,000-£75,000 building costs. It will also cover staff and maintenance costs.

There is already an out-patient clinic for appointments after surgery, led by a full-time consultant breast surgeon, Mr Ali Jahan.

Women aged 50-70 are invited for mammograms every three years.

NHS Nottinghamshire County say that over the last three years 13,000 women have missed out on breast cancer screening.

Tracy Doucet said a new suite would encourage more women to attend.

About £57,000 towards the £200,000 target has already been raised, helped by two donations each of about £17,000 from the Magnus Trust.

A former Mayor of Newark, Mr Bryan Richardson, who is a trustee of the Magnus Trust, raised £8,500 for the appeal during his term of office.

Newark Hospital League Of Friends has also raised money.

Anyone who wants to make a donation towards the machine can send cheques made out to Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust to Tracy Doucet.