New Pharmacy Aseptic Unit marks major step forward for patient care

Last month, construction was completed on the Trust’s state-of-the-art Pharmacy Aseptic Unit and clean room facility, marking a major milestone that will transform how injectable medicines are prepared and delivered to patients.

Located at the Great Western Hospital, the new facility enables the pharmacy team to prepare complex injectable treatments, such as chemotherapy, directly on-site. This advancement will reduce reliance on external suppliers, improve cost-efficiency for the Trust and commissioners, and enhance the overall speed and responsiveness of patient care.

By producing these medicines locally, the Trust will significantly cut transport times to hospital wards, allowing a faster response for patients, particularly those undergoing cancer treatment or stem cell transplants. The new setup will also support more timely treatment following new cancer diagnoses.

Holly Alliston, Lead Pharmacist, said:

“The new Aseptic Unit represents a huge step forward in how we support patients requiring complex therapies. By having the ability to prepare treatments like chemotherapy on-site, we can improve the speed and quality of care, making a real difference for patients dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses.

"I’m incredibly proud of the whole team and everyone involved in the project for their hard work in making this happen.”

In 2024, the pharmacy team successfully secured additional capital funding through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This funding allowed the Trust to invest in essential equipment sooner than planned, accelerating efforts to expand access to clinical trials.

The facility has been designed with future patient needs in mind. It includes capacity to support a growing number of cancer patients and improve overall patient flow, with potential opportunities in the future for patients to receive some treatments at home.

Pharmacy staff have been working closely with colleagues from the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) to ensure all team members are fully trained and competent to safely operate the new unit.

The facility is now entering a phase of rigorous testing and validation to meet all regulatory standards. The first dose of medicine prepared in the unit is expected to be produced and dispatched in August 2025.