THE FIRST patients were treated in the county’s brand new, state-of-the-art oncology centre this week.
The £25million building, based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, means 95 per cent of radiotherapy can now be delivered within Worcestershire.
Previously, cancer patients in the city had to travel to Coventry, Cheltenham or Wolverhampton for radiotherapy treatment, but hospital bosses estimate the new centre will save one million miles of travel every year.
Developed in partnership with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, yesterday’s (Monday) grand opening marked 14 months since the first bricks were laid.
Jane Schofield, deputy chief operating officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and oncology centre project director, said everyone was thrilled to have finally reached the opening date.
“The focus all along has been on developing and delivering a world class service to our patients and the focus over the next few weeks will be on gradually building up the service to make sure everything is spot on,” she said.
“The new team of consultant oncologists, clinical physics staff, radiotherapy staff and associated nursing and admin staff have been recruited from across the country and they are passionate about establishing the service and enhancing the care for our patients. It’s a fantastic team.”
Mayor of Worcester, Coun Alan Amos, visited the centre as part of a wider visit to the hospital.
“It was fascinating to visit the exciting new facilities at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. What impressed me most was seeing first-hand how clean, modern and efficient they all are,” he said.
“The new developments of the Worcestershire Oncology Centre and the Midwife-led Birth Unit will benefit patient experience no end. In particular the time, effort and energy that patients will save by having this facility right on their doorstep is superb.
“The centre feels very calm and gives a fantastic first impression to patients and visitors.
“The staff across the hospital amazed me with their dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to patient care – I greatly admire all of their hard work.”
The green light has also been given to plans which will see a chemotherapy suite, clinic areas, and an acute oncology emergency assessment bay – which are currently situated within the main Worcestershire Royal Hospital – move into the first floor of the building.
It is expected that the move will increase the number of county patients who are able to receive their chemotherapy treatment within the county from 75 per cent to 95 per cent, and enable 85 per cent of county patients requiring concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy to receive it locally.
It is hoped that the services will open in the new centre by early spring 2016.
