Stafford's County Hospital reveals new £2m cancer unit

The unit – which opened on Monday – serves patients requiring treatment for a range of cancers, including the treatment for blood-related cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

It is situated in the old Shugborough Ward on the Ground Floor, and will keep the same telephone number.

The suite has been welcomed by Stafford's MP Jeremy Lefroy.

He said: "I welcome the opening of this new Oncology, Haematology Treatment Suite which should enhance patients' experiences through their treatment. This is just one of a number of improvements we are seeing at the County Hospital.

"The new Elderly Care ward was completed and handed over in June 2016. Three further wards will open at County Hospital in the next 18 months along with a refurbished A&E Unit and a Chemotherapy Unit.

A new £3.2m MRI Unit and a new £3.1m Renal Unit have already opened."

In preparation for the big move the team developed detailed plans to limit any disruption to the service.

However, there will be some modifications to the service for a limited time.

Last week, the staff were given time to get used to their new surroundings, meaning there was a slightly reduced amount of activity. The service will also be affected on between August 19 and 22 while the unit physically moves.

Patients who do not have an appointment on one of those dates should not attend, but can continue to use the services emergency telephone numbers for advice.

Matron of the ward, Sue Malbon, added: "We are all very excited about the new department and we can't wait to see what all of our patients think. I'm sure it will enhance all of our patients' experiences through their treatment.

"We've tried to keep disruption to the absolute minimum and there will be volunteers within the new department and at main reception to help patients find their way."