This morning, I had the incredible opportunity and privilege to visit the UCAN Centre at Aberdeen's ARI ( Aberdeen Royal Infirmary), accompanied by Gavin and Alison from Scottish Self Build and Renovation Awards.
UCAN is the chosen charity for this year's Scottish Self Build Awards (which Strawberry Grange is assisting in sponsoring), and we were all eager to discover more about the Centre’s work and in particular it’s latest project - The SURE Unit, UCAN plan to create.
Through Scottish Self Build’s network and during the Awards themselves we hope to raise awareness and funds to support the Centre's important work, particularly for the new SURE unit. We enjoyed an extremely informative and enlightening morning with Office Manager,Gayle Stephen and Charity Chief Executive, Kenny Anderson finding out all about the charity's work and the new SURE Unit.
Gavin and Alison will be giving all members more information on how they can help and get involved very soon, but here's just a wee insight from me....
This iconic centre, run by a specialized team of urological nursing experts, currently offers:
A warm and inviting atmosphere for patients and their families.
Chances to explore a variety of informative and educational resources.
Access to accredited websites using cutting-edge computers.
Plasma screens for displaying informative DVDs produced by UCAN in an entertaining way.
An opportunity to unwind with a cup of coffee while connecting with others in similar situations through the UCAN buddy network or with dedicated support nursing staff.
A private consultation room and quiet space for conversations with medical professionals and specialist nurses.
In the past five years, referrals for suspected urological cancer have surged by 50%, and the existing service provisions are insufficient to meet this growing demand. One in five men will receive a diagnosis of a urological cancer (encompassing prostate, penile, and testicular cancers), in addition to kidney and bladder cancers. If these cancers are detected late, they may progress to an incurable stage, and current waiting times for tests, diagnosis and treatment plans are excessively lengthy.
However, ambitious plans are afoot to make a real and meaningful difference.
An new, exciting and innovative project aims to renovate and re-fit three small ward rooms adjacent to the UCAN Centre within Ward 209, transforming them into the SURE Unit— short for Swift Urological Response and Evaluation Unit.
This enhancement will allow more patients with suspected urological cancer to receive quicker evaluations and complete all necessary scans and diagnostic tests in a single hospital visit.
This is a tremendous boost in itself because many individuals in our region must travel long distances multiple times to attend various appointments needed for a diagnosis of their symptoms.
The ability to consolidate this into a single appointment for many patients—rather than requiring four or five visits—offers significant advantages.
Regardless of where they reside though, the experience of attending numerous appointments and undergoing tests, followed by long waits for results, can be an incredibly stressful, worrying and anxious time for both patients and their loved ones.
UCAN are committed to altering this situation. This new unit will serve as a state-of-the-art, comprehensive facility for anyone (male or female) exhibiting symptoms of potential urological cancer including kidney and bladder cancers, and will facilitate essential early detection while also serving as a centre for support and comprehensive care for patients.
Unfortunately, those impacted by these forms of cancer understand only too well that many individuals are facing lengthy wait times for treatment so we also discovered that the SURE Unit will significantly increase the capacity of the current urological unit, allowing it to treat twice as many patients. With significantly reducing the time it takes to reach a diagnosis, this also leads to better and improved treatment outcomes
The SURE Unit will establish Aberdeen Royal Infirmary as a leading centre and hub of excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of urological cancers in men and women, while also drawing top medical professionals to join the team.
The plans for the unit, which involve renovations, re – fit, the addition of new services, and additional staffing, are not presently funded by the NHS. Therefore, as a result, UCAN and Friends of ANCHOR have decided to join forces and provide support.
UCAN and Friends of ANCHOR are collaborating to raise £2.5 million for establishing SURE, with the goal of having the facility operational by early 2025.
UCAN initiated its fundraising campaign in April of this year, and Friends of Anchor have pledged to match fund and are committed to being a 50% partner in the project.
It’ s lovely to see two local charities working together in collaboration in this way to promote and advance prospects of best outcomes for all patients who are diagnosed with a urological cancer in the north of Scotland.
In addition to equipping the unit, the fundraising efforts will facilitate the acquisition of diagnostic equipment and enable the hiring of additional staff to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance the patient journey.
The collaborative commitment from the charities will be in place for the initial three years of operation, after which NHS Grampian will assume responsibility for the operational costs.
The capacity for surgery will be enhanced through the growing use of an innovative new laser treatment that can be performed using local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia. This procedure, called TULA, takes just 15 minutes, allowing patients to return home on the same day.
You can find the UCAN Centre within Ward 209 on the 5th Floor of the ‘Pink Zone’ at ARI. Opening hours: Monday – Friday 9am til 5pm (Friday Morning drop ins)
If you are in the self build and renovation space as a professional or business or are interested in creating your dream home do stay in touch with Scottish Self Build and Renovation Show, and look out for ways you can help support UCAN or get involved in the fundraising through the Awards !
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