£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 machine for a planned unit in the Sherwood Women’s Centre at the hospital.

Mrs Elaine Ellison (56) a partner at Malcolm Ellison Chartered Accountants, 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“It really is out of date.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.

“More women than ever are surviving thanks to better awareness, screening and treatment.

“Digital screening is a huge part of prevention.”

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.”

Tracy Doucet said a permanent unit was not a priority for the NHS because a digital mammography service was already available and Newark did not have a big enough catchment area.

“But the women of Newark deserve better,” she said.

The Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust will pay the £50,000-£75,000 building costs of the unit.

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.

Tracy Doucet said: “A permanent machine and suite will help us make further improvements to breast services.

“It will mean we can start to plan for the future and how we provide these services from Newark.”

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.

The PCT says eight out of every ten women contacted take up the invitation, but among some groups, including those from ethnic minorities and people living in deprived areas, only six out of ten were being screened.

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.

The trust makes donations to Newark Hospital every year and the trustees asked that the money should go towards the mammography machine.

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.

The next event organised by Mrs Ellison is a cruise-themed casino evening at the Roman Way, Lincoln Road, Newark, on February 25.

The black tie event is sponsored by Hyde-Barker Travel, London Road, Newark.

Tickets cost £21 including a hot supper and roulette chips. They are available from Mrs Ellison.

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