Upgraded Breast Cancer centre celebrated

A ribbon cutting ceremony has taken place to mark the successful completion of a 12-month equipment replacement and upgrade at our dedicated breast cancer centre.

The Mermaid Centre is now equipped with three MAMMOMAT Revelation mammography systems from Siemens Healthineers, enabling a more comfortable and personalised patient experience while capturing high-quality images at a low dose.

The additional systems take the count of MAMMOMAT Revelations at RCHT to five, with two existing mobile x-ray machines supporting community diagnostics for patients across Cornwall.

The upgrade also included reconfiguring of space within the Mermaid Centre to provide an additional ultrasound room, new and enhanced reporting and viewing rooms, and improved staff facilities.

Kim O’Keeffe, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Nursing Officer at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust’s (RCHT), cut the pink ribbon to celebrate the project completion on Friday 27 October.

Kim said: “We’re delighted to have completed this project on time and within budget. Cornwall is recognised nationally for its breast cancer services and this important upgrade will ensure we continue to utilise the latest technical advances to provide outstanding care and a better experience to our patients. Huge thanks to everyone who was involved.”

Patients, staff and guests at the event wore pink as a mark to breast cancer awareness month and Wear it Pink day.

The upgrade was completed by Kier Construction. Throughout the project, a mobile x-ray machine was located in the Mermaid car park to ensure service continuity and clinical capacity. With this now removed from the site, the car park will be re-lined, including at least four fully compliant accessible parking spaces.