Worcestershire’s first radiotherapy centre

Worcestershire is set to have its first ever radiotherapy centre, with work scheduled to start later in the year.

The NHS Midlands and East Strategic Health Authority approved the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the £20 million unit which will be based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and is due to open in 2014.

At present, patients have to travel to Birmingham or Gloucestershire for treatment. It is estimated that the new centre will save patients around one million miles of travel annually.

The OBC also includes plans for a 401-space car park on land adjacent to the hospital site, which will increase the number of spaces available for visitors, staff and patients to 1470.

Adel Makar, Consultant Urologist and Lead Cancer Clinician for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust, said: “A long held dream will at last start becoming a reality.

“Real progress can now be made on developing the detailed plans for the radiotherapy centre and developing detailed workforce plans to ensure the necessary additional staff are in place by the time the new facility is opened”