County cancer unit bid clears final hurdle (From Worcester News)

County cancer unit bid clears final hurdle

12:00pm Friday 27th January 2012 in Local

A RADIOTHERAPY unit for Worcester cleared the final hurdle after regional health bosses approved the scheme.

Regional health chiefs have approved the outline business case for Worcestershire’s first ever radiotherapy centre.

The decision, taken by NHS Midlands and East Strategic Health Authority at its board meeting yesterday, marks another hurdle cleared on the path to opening the centre in 2014.

The unit, which will be based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, will provide radiotherapy treatment for county cancer patients and mean that they will no longer face long journeys out of the county for their care.

It is estimated it will save patients about one million miles of travel every year.

Plans include a 401-space car park on land next to the hospital, which will increase the number of spaces for patients, visitors and staff to 1,470.

Steve Clarke, finance director at NHS Midlands and East SHA, said: “This is another step nearer the provision of radiotherapy treatment in Worcester to improve access to high quality cancer services for Worcestershire people.”

Adel Makar, consultant urologist and lead cancer clinician for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust, said: “All being well, work will begin on site later this year and what has been a long held dream will at last start becoming a reality.”

Health chiefs are also exploring the potential for chemotherapy in community hospitals, GP health centres, hospices and in patients’ home, as well as at the county’s three main hospital sites.

• There is another chance for county residents to get an update on the project from Mr Makar and project director Paul Elkin at a public meeting at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch on Wednesday, February 8 at 6pm.

To attend the meeting call 01905 733759 or e-mail communications@worcsacute.nhs.uk