Breast cancer surgery has taken a huge step forward at the Horton General Hospital, thanks to cutting-edge equipment funded by our charity, with the support of a generous donor.

Karen Wentworth-Foster, Horton General Hospital’s Theatre Manager, tells us all about it:

“We are delighted that the charity has been able to fund a specialist piece of equipment, called a Faxitron machine.

“The Faxitron provides our breast cancer surgical team with immediate access to high-resolution imaging and biopsy reporting during the operation.

“Previously, any removed specimen or tumour had to be sent to radiology to check the size, boundary, and margins of the biopsy, and help determine if enough tumour had been removed.

“This process would typically take around 45 minutes and meant an extra staff member was needed to take the specimen for analysis.

“While the biopsy was taking place the patient would remain under general anaesthetic, as the surgical team waited for the results. If the x-ray showed that additional tumour removal was necessary, the surgery would then resume.

“Thanks to the Faxitron, biopsies can now be examined within the operating theatre, with results coming through in just minutes.

“This innovation reduces the duration of anaesthesia for patients, saves surgical time, and also keeps the ‘flow’ of the operation.

“It is a transformative piece of equipment – it’s good for our patients, good for the surgical team and the time saved means we can operate on an extra person each day.

“We perform breast cancer surgery one day a week at the Horton, so this equipment allows us to perform an extra 50 operations a year, saving time and money, and most importantly getting the patient treated more quickly, which means better outcomes.

“Tamsin Rawlings, Head of Major Gifts at Oxford Hospitals Charity added: “We are thrilled to hear from Karen and the team about what a difference the Faxitron is making for patients with breast cancer.

“We were privileged to work with a local donor who wanted to fund something with a big impact – and we know they are delighted at this positive advance, which builds on the local support and treatment provided for cancer patients at the Horton’s Brodey Cancer Centre as well.”

Lisa Glynn, Director of Clinical Services at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust also told us:

“It is wonderful to hear about this important advance that benefits both local and wider Oxfordshire patients by reducing waiting times and improving patient outcomes. We are so grateful to our hospital charity and this very special donor for funding this important step forward.”

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If you would like to find out more about supporting the Horton General Hospital,

please visit www.hospitalcharity.co.uk/horton or call 0300 373 1188.

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