Breast Health Mater
Some time ago the Breast Cancer team in The Mater Hospital which includes Lead Radiologist Dr Flanagan, consultants Prof Gorey, Mr Stokes and Mr Kell, and the team of nurses recognised the need for a new holistic approach to Breast Cancer care that would consider the 'whole person' - their fears, emotions, family and life-style and that would take all these aspects into consideration during treatment and care. It is crucial that there is a place where all these different aspects of the person and the cancer are cared for and treated accordingly.
Previously women diagnosed and treated with Breast Cancer were either diagnosed or managed in the Screening and Symptomatic Unit, now known as BreastHealth Mater Unit.
A multidisciplinary breast care team, which includes specialist surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists and breast care nurses staff BreastHealth Mater. By locating this multidisciplinary team in new specially designed facilities, BreastHealth Mater seeks to advance the quality of care delivered to women who attend the hospital with breast symptoms and hence become a centre of excellence.
BreastHealth Mater includes:
- 5 dedicated consulting rooms
- 2 ultrasound suites
- Mammography unit with stereotactic biopsy facility
- Counselling rooms
BreastHealth Mater now provides women diagnosed with Breast Cancer, who have to face difficult emotions, fears and treatment decisions, with a warm and comfortable environment.
The unit provides a range of clinics especially tailored to the needs of the patients. These include:
- Triple Assessment Clinics - where a woman may receive her clinical examination, radiological investigation and, if necessary, tissue sampling on the same day, reducing the delay to diagnosis, which many patients found, added to their understandable anxieties about their symptoms.
- The unit also offers dedicated Family History Clinics for women with a strong family history of breast cancer.
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinics.
Indeed, the entire design of the new facility has sought to create a comfortable, non-intimidating environment to minimise the stress experienced by patients attending the Unit.
The unit also recognises the importance of providing integrated medical care and looks forward to working with local general practitioners to establish guidelines for referral and advice on accessing the different services available in the facility. Quality assurance and data collection are a fundamental aspect of the unit in assessing performance and maintaining high standards.
Everyday the BreastHealth Mater Unit works tirelessly to ensure that women diagnosed don't have to face difficult emotions, fears, and treatment decisions alone.
