Trust backs radiotherapy unit for Swindon

It is hoped treatment could be available in Swindon by the end of 2017

A new radiotherapy unit at Swindon's Great Western Hospital is "within touching distance" after getting the backing of health bosses in Oxford.

But the £16.5m centre needs the backing of the Trust Development Authority and NHS England before it can go ahead.

Hundreds of cancer patients currently have a 70-mile round trip to Oxford for radiotherapy.

Great Western Hospital bosses said the latest approval was "great news" for people in Swindon and Wiltshire.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust (OUH) backed the plans for a "satellite" radiotherapy at a board meeting on 8 July, subject to the approval of the two NHS bodies over funding the unit for the next 10 years.

They want assurances that the running costs are fully funded by the NHS tariff system - which rewards hospitals per number of patients treated.

'Major step'

Swindon and Wiltshire are among the few areas in England where cancer patients have to travel more than 45 minutes for radiotherapy.

They are currently treated at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, which usually involves daily visits for between four and seven weeks.

Director of clinical services at OUH, Paul Brennan, described the decision as "another major step in our project to deliver our services to cancer patients in Swindon and Wiltshire, much nearer to their homes".

Dr Guy Rooney, medical director for GWH, said the Swindon unit was now "within touching distance".

"I have spoken to many people who have either had to make the frequent journey to Oxford for cancer treatment or those who have family members who have had to do so - I recognise the difficulties that the journey can bring."

GWH has already begun a £2.9m fundraising effort to help equip the new unit, which it is hoped could be open by the end of 2017.