The Breast Care Centre at Ipswich Hospital fully opened to patients after the final two services moved into the brand new state-of-the-art unit in late January 2023.

The breast screening team was the first to begin using the multi-million pound facility earlier in January, and have now been joined by the clinics and imaging department. The move brings all elements of breast care under one roof for the first time, which means that patients will no longer need to walk backwards and forwards between departments, get dressed and undressed several times or spend a long time in waiting rooms.

Kim Collingridge, lead breast cancer clinical nurse specialist at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs Ipswich Hospital, said: “We are absolutely delighted that this vital new centre has now fully opened to patients. It will transform the experience they have when they come into hospital by providing them with a top notch environment which matches the outstanding care our clinical teams provide.”

The new centre has been made possible thanks to a partnership between NHS funding from ESNEFT and the Blossom Appeal, which was a fundraiser organised by Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity.

Mandy Jordan, associate director for charities and voluntary services, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising appeal so generously. The money has been used to create a welcoming, modern and tranquil environment which will continue to benefit our patients for years to come.”

“It’s so exciting to be starting 2023 with such good news for our breast care patients. With finishing touches and outside works being completed in the coming months, our dream of a patient-focused, Breast Care Centre will soon come true and that feels really good to say!"

“However, we are still three-hundred thousand pounds away from the fundraising target and we need our community’s support to reach it. Everyone can make a difference and every penny counts, so please continue to support us if you can.”

The centre will be officially opened later in the spring.