Breast Cancer Care Centre, Yeovil Hospital

Location
Yeovil
Client
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Completion
2024
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I know that this is going to be fantastic for our excellent breast care team, we can already see the benefits it’ll have for our patients, and it’s something that will last for generations to come too.

Miss Caroline Osborne
Consultant Breast Surgeon
Yeovil Hospital

The breast cancer care team at Yeovil Hospital treats over 5,000 patients and more than 3,000 follow-up patients each year. With demand increasing by 5% annually and a lack of dedicated facilities, patients were having to navigate various departments across the hospital—over several visits—to receive their care.

Thanks to a monumental effort by the local community, Yeovil Hospital Charity raised over £2.8 million to build a dedicated Breast Cancer Care Unit which offers patients a more dignified and efficient experience at what is often an incredibly challenging time.

A One-Stop Centre for Breast Cancer Care

The dedicated Breast Cancer Unit, located next to the Women’s Hospital, allows patients to see a specialist, have their clinical examination, undergo an ultrasound, mammogram, or biopsy, receive a prosthesis fitting, and meet with their doctor, all in one place. This also results in shorter waiting times, with purpose-built facility including:

  • A mammography suite alongside dedicated ultrasound rooms.
  • A counselling space for difficult conversations and emotional support.
  • A comfortable waiting area that offers a quiet retreat away from the rest of the hospital.
  • A wellbeing room to host support groups and meetings for both staff and patients.
  • A fitting room for post-surgery prostheses and specialist bras.

Designed for Healing

To support patients throughout their treatment journey, the interior design follows the principles of “Healing Spaces,” with natural materials, soft colours, and organic elements to create a comfortable, soothing atmosphere from the moment they arrive.

Set in a tranquil area of the hospital, surrounded by mature trees and lush planting, the unit brings nature into focus. Expansive windows fill the interior with natural light, while the earthy colour palette of muted greens, warm yellows, and gentle pinks was selected to evoke comfort and calm. These choices are grounded in research on how colour and light aid healing, contributing to a peaceful, homely environment.

Throughout the building, large-scale wall-to-wall artworks inspired by the local Yeovil landscape offer a comforting, grounding presence for patients.

A Space for Dignity and Comfort

We also paid special attention to areas where difficult conversations may take place. The dedicated counselling and wellbeing rooms are designed with soft furniture, carpeted flooring, and gentle lighting, providing an intimate space that feels far removed from the typical clinical setting.

Finally, the design also accounts for the practical needs of a healthcare facility, striking a careful balance between high-quality finishes and meeting NHS standards for infection control. It’s a thoughtful approach that creates a comforting environment, without compromising safety or functionality.