A NEW multi-million pound radiotherapy unit set for Worcestershire could help thousands of cancer patients avoid a gruelling journey for treatment.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's Cancer Team is drawing up plans to develop radiotherapy services in the county, ready to submit a business case next year.

And despite recent controversy surrounding the future of services in the county, it is hoped the strength of the bid will help secure Government funding for the £2.5 million needed to build, staff and run a new satellite radiotherapy unit for the whole of Worcestershire.

A trust spokesman said they did not yet know where in the county the unit would be built but trust chief executive John Rostill said he strongly believed Worcester was the ideal base for the facility.

The new unit would benefit thousands of patients who currently face lengthy and gruelling journeys for treatment.

"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," said Mr Rostill.

Members of the Cancer Team have already met patient groups to outline their plans and Mr Rostill is hoping widespread local support for the plan 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," he said.

"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."