'Moonwalkers' have raised £500,000 to help build a new dedicated breast ward in Edinburgh.

The cash raised by men and women taking part in the annual MoonWalk has been donated to the Breast Cancer Institute for the refurbishment of the breast ward at the Western General Hospital.

Walk the Walk, the charity which runs the event, donated the money towards the £1m revamp of ward six at the hospital.

Ward six is currently made up of shared rooms, and only two have en-suite facilities.

During the redesign, a new dedicated facility for day surgery patients will be created to enable more patients to undergo their operation without an overnight stay. This will free up more inpatient beds on the ward.

The renovation of the 19 bed unit will transform facilities by providing a new 11-bedded ward, as well as the day-bed suite to accommodate six day surgery patients. All rooms will be en-suite to give greater privacy and dignity to patients.

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A new balcony is also being built along the front of the ward so that patients can enjoy some fresh air, as well as getting a spectacular view of the city.

Beds will be spaced further apart to allow for more personal space and to improve infection control measures.

Elaine Anderson, Clinical Director for Cancer and Palliative Care, NHS Lothian, said: "We were absolutely delighted with the generous donation of £500,000 from the Moonwalk towards the refurbishment of ward six.

"The Edinburgh Breast Unit has been at the forefront of developments in the treatment of breast cancer for 30 years and Walk the Walk’s assistance will ensure it stays there."

Nina Barough, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk, said of the plans: "We are very excited about our partnership with the Breast Cancer Institute and NHS Lothian. Together we are significantly improving the patient environment at the Breast Unit and this makes the efforts of all our MoonWalkers worthwhile."

Work on the new unit is due to start within the next few months, and is due to be open to patients in early 2010.

Discussions are also underway about the possibility of building a new operating theatre for the Edinburgh Breast Unit, using an additional grant of £1.5m from Walk the Walk.

(GK/BMcC)