State-of-the-art palliative care unit marks three years since it opened its doors at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital

A state-of-the-art palliative care unit visited by the former Prince of Wales, now His Majesty King Charles III, has marked three years since it opened. 

It is now three years since the eight-bed Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit opened its doors at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital near Llantrisant.  

Last year, the former Prince of Wales, now His Majesty King Charles III, visited the unit to meet and talk to hard-working staff and people involved in building the unit as part of his summer tour of Wales. 

The £7.25m unit was largely funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and its charity partner 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: “We are so proud of the Y Bwythyn NGS Specialist Palliative Care Unit, which has provided a calming and welcoming environment for people with incurable illnesses like cancer since it opened its doors three years ago. 

“I would like to thank the hard-working staff who have 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.” 

Greg Dix, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Patient Care, CTMUHB added “In the three years since we opened this fantastic state-of-the art facility, it’s wonderful to hear so much positive feedback on the care that is provide by the dedicated staff of Y Bwthyn.  

“We are very proud of our staff and the continuous support they provide on a daily basis to our patients, and our joint working between Macmillan and the National Garden Scheme.” 

National Garden Scheme Chief Executive, George Plumptre, said: “The National Garden Scheme’s £2.5 million funding for the Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit is the charity’s largest ever commitment to any one project.  

“It was made possible by our long-term support for Macmillan over more than 35 years and we are very proud to have worked in equal partnership with Macmillan to bring this superb new unit to South Wales.  

 “At a time of immense pressure on cancer services and the wider healthcare system, we know that the expertise and facilities on offer at the unit will provide the best possible support for people living with cancer and their families.” 

For support, information or just a chat, call Macmillan free on 0808 808 0000. 

For more about the National Garden Scheme’s support for Macmillan Cancer Support click here