Nantgarw Support Unit
Medicines at Home
Nantgarw Support Unit
What is the Medicines at Home Nantgarw Support Unit?
The Medicines at Home Nantgarw Support Unit is a fully equipped treatment unit. It is staffed by experienced and highly trained nurses from our partner, Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare. It is based in Nantgarw, Cardiff, for Velindre Cancer Service (‘Velindre’) patients who are receiving certain treatments.
Who will provide my medicines?
Your treatment and nursing care will be provided by Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare. Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare are a private provider and not part of Velindre, but they have been carefully chosen by us to provide this service to you. In some cases, the service you receive may be funded by a pharmaceutical company.
Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare manufactures the treatments at a special site and employs a team of nurses to deliver the treatment at the purpose-built Support unit. The manufacturing and nursing service have been extensively reviewed by Velindre to ensure they operate to the same quality and safety standards as would be provided to you at Velindre.
Once you have registered for the service you will receive a welcome pack from Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare. In the unlikely event a new service provider is appointed to deliver your care at the unit, you will be notified in advance.
How will the Nantgarw Support Unit benefit me?
The Medicines at Home Mobile Support Unit service offers an accessible location to receive your treatment. By increasing the locations that treatments can be delivered, we can make services more convenient for you as well as allowing us to treat more patients overall.
With a smaller number of treatment chairs at this facility we have fewer patients waiting, so waiting times are usually shorter. It is easily accessible and there is plenty of free parking.
We have been delivering care from this Support Unit for a number of years and we have had excellent feedback from patients who have received their treatment there. We are confident you will find it to be a calm and comfortable place to visit. However, should you choose to, you may withdraw from the service at any time.
What if there is an emergency, how can I feel safe?
The Nantgarw Support Unit has all the necessary equipment and staff are fully trained to deal with emergencies.
If you feel unwell whilst on the unit the team will assess your needs, contact your medical team and, if necessary, arrange an appointment at the most appropriate place. This may not be Velindre, you may need to go to your GP or a local hospital.
What are my responsibilities?
You must continue to attend your routine clinic appointments, blood tests or GP check-ups as requested by your clinician to allow your health to be monitored appropriately. You must be contactable, typically by telephone. Your clinician may withdraw you from the service if you are unable to meet these requirements.
Can I see someone from my medical team?
There is no one from your medical team available on the Nantgarw Support Unit, however, you will be reviewed regularly by your team from Velindre either with face-to-face appointments or telephone assessments.
How does the Nantgarw Support Unit service work?
To be treated on the Nantgarw Support Unit you will need to be registered for the service. You will receive a telephone call from our Medicines at Home team where you will be asked to agree to your details being transferred to Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare, who will then contact you to confirm some details.
On the day before your treatment is due to be administered you will receive a call from Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare to check that you are well enough for treatment the following day. On the day of treatment, you will attend the Nantgarw Support Unit where you will be greeted by the team, who will proceed to undertake the necessary observations and checks before you have your treatment. The treatments take between 1-2 hours to administer and are safe to receive on this purpose-built facility.
What facilities are on the unit?
There is an access ramp available at the front of the Nantgarw Support Unit if you need it. Hot drinks are available and there is a disabled toilet on the unit. There is a small waiting area, so you can bring someone with you if you want to.
What if I have a problem?
You will be able to contact a named patient care coordinator who will usually be able handle any problems or queries you have. You can also contact the Medicines at Home Team. For problems which require medical assistance, you should always get in touch with your clinical team at Velindre, via the Treatment helpline.
If you have a problem that you feel has not been handled well, you have the right to make a complaint. Complaints about any element of your service with Velindre can also be made to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) team, whose details can be found at the end of this leaflet.
Confidentiality
To provide the Nantgarw Support Unit service we need to provide Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare with some details about you and ask you to sign a registration form. For your safety, this information, dispensing, and nursing records are held on a computerised database by Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare. Providers are bound by the same confidentiality rules as NHS staff. They will not give information about you to anyone else or discuss your treatment with anyone except the hospital staff who provide your care.
You can find all the information about how your personal data will be managed in our privacy notice which can be found here: http://www.velindre-tr.wales.nhs.uk/your-information-your-rights
Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback. If you need advice or are concerned about any aspect of care or treatment, please speak to a member of the Medicines at Home Team, the Treatment Helpline, or contact PALS.
Medicines at Home Team
Telephone: 02920 615888 ext 4443
Letter: Medicines at Home Team, Pharmacy Department, Velindre Cancer Centre, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 2TL
Treatment Helpline
02920 615888, ask for Treatment Helpline
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Telephone: 02920 196142
Email: VelindrePALS@Wales.nhs.uk
Letter: Velindre PALS, Velindre Cancer Centre, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 2TL
Directions to Nantgarw:
Address:
By the side of the Showcase Cinema and Tenpin Bowling Centre
Parc Nantgarw
Nantgarw
CF15 7QX
From the M4:
· Exit at junction 32 (Coryton roundabout)
· Take the A470 North to Merthyr Tydfil
· 2nd exit signposted Treforest Industrial Estate A4054 and Caerphilly A468
· At the large roundabout, take the 1st exit
· Go down the hill towards a smaller roundabout
· Take the 3rd exit towards Parc Nantgarw
· At the mini roundabout, take the third exit towards the cinema and Tenpin bowling centre
· Take the first left into the car park, beside the McDonald’s drive-thru
· Drive past the Tenpin bowling centre to the top of the car park
· The blue Nantgarw Support Unit will be on the right hand side
Version 2.0
Reviewed April 2024