Specialist Care - the best possible care, most of it closer to home
Patients from Aberystwyth who need complex cancer surgery are sometimes referred to the specialist centre in Swansea. However, most of the care – before and after the surgery itself - is provided locally.
Video and internet links between different hospitals (known as “telemedicine”) mean that patients can have their diagnosis carried out locally. Then the team in Aberystwyth can discuss the case with expert colleagues at the specialist centre in Swansea, and decide the best place for surgery.
Dr Alan Axford, Lead Clinician for Cancer Services in Aberystwyth explains:
“When complex surgery is needed, it is only necessary for the patient to go to the specialist centre in Swansea once - when the surgery is performed. After surgery, once the patient is stable, they are transferred back to the local hospital. Any further treatment they need, such as chemotherapy and on-going care, can be provided locally. It means patients get the best of both worlds – they go to the best possible place for their surgery, but still get most of their care closer to home”
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