An Ashbourne-based care home is supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month by welcoming a mobile breast screening unit to its grounds throughout October and November.
Ashbourne Lodge, part of the family-run Milford Care group, will host the breast screening trailer from Thursday 8th October, giving women invited for routine screening a local location to attend their appointments.
Recent data highlights the importance of breast awareness and screening, with around three in 10 women invited for NHS breast screening not taking up the offer. Meanwhile, 45% of UK women do not regularly check their breasts for possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer, while 11% say they have never checked their breasts.
The mobile unit, operated for women invited for screening through University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, is expected to welcome hundreds of visitors during its stay.
The team at Ashbourne Lodge will also be offering complimentary tea and coffee to visitors attending the unit, helping to provide a warm and welcoming environment before and after appointments.
Jim Watt, Home Manager at Ashbourne Lodge, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to support the breast screening service and welcome so many women from the local community to Ashbourne Lodge over the coming weeks.
“We would encourage anyone who receives an invitation to attend their screening appointment. We know it can feel a little daunting, so our team will be there to offer reassurance and moral support.
“Sometimes, simple gestures and a friendly face can make a real difference, and we hope our presence helps make the experience that little bit more comfortable for everyone visiting the unit.”
The screening trailer will be delivered to Ashbourne Lodge on Wednesday 7 October, with appointments beginning the following day on Thursday 8 October. Refreshments will be available for visitors from around 10:00 am.
Appointments are pre-booked and invitation-only. October appointments are fully booked, with more than 500 women expected to be invited for appointments during November before the mobile unit moves on to its next location.
The initiative reflects Milford Care’s wider emphasis on community, with Ashbourne Lodge looking for opportunities to connect with and support people in the surrounding area.
Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the home is committed to providing high-quality, person-centred care.
For more information about Ashbourne Lodge and its services, please visit:
https://www.milfordcare.co.uk/ashbourne-lodge/