More than 1,200 people cared for at Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit

More than 1,200 people have been cared for at a state-of-the-art palliative care unit largely funded by charities since it opened its doors two years ago. The milestone has been revealed to mark two years since the eight-bed Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit opened its doors at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

The £7.25m unit was largely funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and charity partner the National Garden Scheme, who each gave £2.5m towards it. The additional funding came from the Welsh Government and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.

The unit offers inpatient, outpatient and day palliative care to people with cancer and other conditions with eight inpatient beds available. It was designed by architects that specialise in palliative care to create a calm, welcoming, and comfortable environment for people with incurable illnesses and their loved ones.

Each patient bedroom 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 Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, said: “It’s hard to believe it’s already two years since the Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit opened to offer a calming, caring environment for people nearing the end of their lives and their loved ones.

“While the pandemic has brought its challenges, I would like to congratulate the hard-working staff who have still provided brilliant end of life care in this special environment, which was largely funded by Macmillan and our charity partner the National Garden Scheme thanks to our supporters.”

Paul Mears, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board’s Chief Executive Officer, said “I want to congratulate everybody at Y Bwthyn on the second anniversary of the unit. It’s been great to hear so much positive feedback on the care that’s been provided in this fantastic facility.

“It’s also a great example of how we, as a health board have worked in partnership with Macmillan, the National Garden Scheme, and Welsh Government to get the unit up and running. And what great accolade than to have the Prince of Wales come to the unit a few months ago.”

George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, said: “The National Garden Scheme is proud to be celebrating this wonderful cancer unit to which we have contributed £2.5 million, raised at our gardens. It will be a lasting legacy in Wales of our partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to which we have donated over £17 million through 37 years.

“While the coronavirus pandemic has sadly impacted much of the first two years of the Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit, it remains a superb contribution to cancer and palliative care in South Wales, demonstrating the power of partnership between the National Garden Scheme, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.”

Earlier this year, His Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, visited the unit to meet patients, staff and people involved in building the unit as part of his summer tour of Wales. The unit was also recently shortlisted for a prestigious AJ Architecture Award, which recognises excellence in architecture across the UK, under the health and wellbeing category.