WORCESTER’S mayor Cllr Alan Amos paid a visit to the city’s new oncology centre as it opened its doors to patients this week.

The long-awaited Worcestershire Oncology Centre at Worcestershire Royal Hospital opened for the first time on Monday, January 26, meaning cancer patients in the county no longer face long, daily trips to Cheltenham, Coventry or Wolverhampton.

Cllr Amos, who visited the new unit as part of a visit to the entire hospital on Monday, welcomed the opening.

“It was fascinating to visit the exciting new facilities at Worcestershire Royal Hospital,” he said. “What impressed me most was seeing first-hand how clean, modern and efficient they all are.

“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.”

Consultant oncologist at the new centre Clive Irwin said he was delighted the years of work into developing the centre had finally come to fruition.

“Seeing our first patient was a very exciting and anxious time for all the staff involved who have worked very hard over the past few months to make this happen,” he said.

“The new oncology centre is a really major step forward in delivering specialised radiotherapy treatment locally for all Worcestershire residents.”

The go-ahead has also been given to plans to move chemotherapy services currently based in the Royal into the new centre by spring 2016, meaning all cancer services will be delivered under one roof.