Opening event for state-of-the-art Macmillan and National Garden Scheme palliative care unit at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital
Visitors have had their first look inside the state-of-the-art Macmillan and National Garden Scheme (NGS) palliative care unit in Llantrisant at a special opening event.
They got the chance to see inside the £7.25m Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital at its opening event on Friday 29 November.
The eight-bed unit has been funded in a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and their longest-standing charity partner the National Garden Scheme, as well as Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and the Welsh Government.
After opening its doors in September, it offers inpatient, outpatient and day palliative care to people in the Rhondda and Taff Ely area of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
George Plumptre, the Chief Executive of National Garden Scheme, attended the event to see the completed unit for the first time.
He said: “On behalf of the National Garden Scheme I am delighted that the major project of the new Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit is complete and receiving patients.
“The superbly high standard of the unit will transform the support and care that can be offered to people in South Wales living with cancer and continue to make this difference far into the future.
“In the year that the National Garden Scheme’s support for Macmillan marks its 35th anniversary it is also a wonderful way to celebrate our unique partnership.”
The National Garden Scheme donated £2.5m towards the unit, with Macmillan donating a further £2.5m thanks to the generosity of their supporters.
The additional funding came from the health board and the Welsh Government.
Carers and people who donated towards the unit were among the other guests at the opening event to see first-hand how it offers a warm, welcoming environment to people who need specialist palliative care.
Designed by architects who specialise in creating palliative care buildings, the unit features artwork inspired by bringing the outdoors in as patients and their loved ones told us they wanted this soothing theme.
Each room has doors designed so a patient’s bed can be taken outside onto a screened terrace if they wish to go outdoors.
Richard Pugh, Head of Services (Wales) for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “It was great to attend the Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit opening event and to show around so many people who supported it to be our biggest build in Wales.
“Created in partnership with patients and carers, this new unit offers a warm, comfortable and welcoming environment for people receiving palliative care and their loved ones.
Alan Lawrie, director of primary, community and mental health at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, said: “We are delighted that working alongside our partners, the National Garden Scheme and Macmillan Cancer Support, a first-class health facility has been built which will enhance the quality and care we provide to our patients who require palliative care.”
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