HOSPITAL bosses have announced the partner that will work with them to develop a satellite radiotherapy unit in Worcestershire.

The unit will be built at either Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester or the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch after a partnership deal was struck.

Leaders at the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will work with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust to deliver the new unit.

A panel made up of patient representatives, GPs, hospital consultants, cancer experts and staff from the two trusts recommended the contract be awarded to the other NHS trust and the board of directors agreed the move on Thursday.

Paul Crawford, aged 69, a campaigner and throat cancer survivor from Highfield Close, Droitwich, had to travel 3,000 miles in just six weeks for radiotherapy at the oncology centre in Cheltenham. He said: “This is great news as Worcestershire cancer patients and carers will have local services rather than travelling miles experiencing additional trauma during a vulnerable time. Let us keep the impetus going. Worcestershire deserves the best.”

Adel Makar, consultant urological surgeon and lead cancer clinician for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to improve the care we give to patients.  “We now have the chance to build on the strengths of existing services and give Worcestershire the top quality cancer services that its people deserve.”

At the moment, patients spend about £1million a year in travelling costs for radiotherapy sessions out of county. NHS Worcestershire pays out £500,000 a year to cover the travelling costs of those who cannot afford them. The partner will work with Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and NHS Worcestershire to develop a radiotherapy unit by the end of 2013, meaning 95 per cent of radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be delivered in Worcestershire. The partnership should be in place by Friday, April 1 and partners say the work will not lead to disruption for patients now receiving treatment.

Because of past cancer care arrangements, Worcestershire patients have to travel to Coventry, Cheltenham or Wolverhampton for radiotherapy but this will mean care closer to home.

The unit will use the latest kit that is considered by experts to be better at targeting tumours with less damage to surrounding tissue and less risk of complications.

John Rostill, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We are one step nearer our vision of delivering long-lasting improvements in the quality of cancer service.”