Appeal raises £1million to boost hospital

CANCER and eye patients will benefit from £1million raised in support of a new Stratford hospital.

The Stratford Hospital Cancer and Eye Appeal was launched to help the new £22m hospital which is set to open this summer.

When open, it will be about twice the size of the current hospital, with a cancer services unit on the top floor known as the Rigby Cancer Unit.

The first floor will be a dedicated eye unit and the ground floor will offer some diagnostic services and be home to a health and wellbeing hub.

South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust is funding the new hospital build, however the NHS funds only go as far as functional materials and equipment.

The additional £1m will enable the Trust to invest in special enhancements and equipment to improve the facility for patients as they undergo their treatment. Denys Shortt, chairman of the fundraising committee, said: “The hospital is going to make a massive difference to the lives of local people; making treatment more accessible and providing a welcome and comfortable environment for patients. All fundraising now and in the future will help make Stratford Hospital the best it can be.”

Jayne Blacklay, director of development at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to everyone that has helped us reach this fantastic milestone.

“Throughout the fundraising appeal, one thing that has been really clear to me is how passionate the people from Stratford and the sur- rounding villages are in supporting their local community. It is thanks to their dedication and generosity that we have been able to raise this amount of money and will be able to make Stratford Hospital a first class health care facility.”