LONG, gruelling journeys to receive treatment outside the area, which can mean misery for scores of cancer sufferers living in and around Bromsgrove, may soon be a thing of the past.

Doctors, nurses and managers in Worcestershire's hospitals are hoping their efforts to bring vital cancer services to an acute hospital within the county for the first time will benefit thousands of patients who currently face long journeys for their treatment.

The cancer team at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is drawing up plans to develop radiotherapy services in the county. The team hopes the strength of its bid will help to secure the funding it needs to build, staff and run a new satellite radiotherapy unit for the whole county. Bids have to be in early next year.

The cost of building the new unit, with two linear accelerators, would be around £2.5 million. The cost of equipment is usually funded by central government.

Trust chief executive John Rostill said he strongly believed Worcestershire was the ideal base for such a facility.

"We could provide treatment for 80 per cent of the people in Worcestershire who currently have to travel to Cheltenham, Coventry or Wolverhampton, making round trips of 80 miles or more, often several times a week, at a time when they need and deserve treatment as close to home as possible," he said.

Members of the trust's cancer team have already met with patient groups to outline their plans.

Mr Rostill is also hoping that widespread local support for the scheme will strengthen the trust's case.

"We already deliver high quality cancer care to patients from across the county who need surgery, chemotherapy or other treatments, and if we can add radiotherapy to that range of services, it will be of enormous value to our patients," explained the health chief.

"Obviously other trusts within the network - Hereford and Cheltenham - will also be interested in bidding for these services. But I believe our excellent cancer care, our location and the needs of the community we serve will combine to make a compelling case in our favour," added Mr Rostill.