Members of Hywel Dda Health Board have thrown their support behind plans for a new chemotherapy unit for Bronglais Hospital.

The health board wants to provide a new unit which it says will provide significantly upgraded services, with the cost of the work estimated at being around £1.9m.

It could be located at the current Y Banwy ward, with hospital chiefs looking to shake up care to provide closer links between general medical care and dementia care.

While plans are still at an early stage, members at a full health board meeting supported the proposal, with deputy chief executive and director of operations Joe Teape saying the new unit would “benefit” patients.

He said: “This is a long-standing development to try and resolve the issues of the chemotherapy day unit at Bronglais.

“Those that know the area will know that you have to walk past where people are receiving their care in a very open space, which is really not fit for purpose for modern-day services, so I am pleased to recommend to the board that this proposal goes ahead for the benefit of patients across mid Wales.”

While there are no detailed plans, the proposal is for the unit to have a six-bay treatment area which would be able to be expanded to eight bays, dedicated consultation and examination rooms, along with chemotherapy treatment rooms.

There would also be a reception and outpatient area, a quiet room and counselling area, a multi-disciplinary team meeting room, a social and information area and increased restroom facilities.

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