Plans for £10m cancer centre ‘show confidence in future of hospital’

PLANS FOR a new £10m cancer treatment centre are have been hailed as a vote of confidence in a North Yorkshire hospital’s longterm future.

Macmillan Cancer Support has worked with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to develop the proposals for the Friarage Hospital which include a chemotherapy treatment lounge to treat up to 35 patients a day, complementary therapy facilities, treatment and consulting rooms, a Macmillan cancer information and support centre and supporting accommodation.

Richmond’s Conservative MP Rishi Sunak said the plans are a tremendous boost for those who have campaigned to retain services at the hospital following the downgrading of its consultantled maternity and paediatric services in 2014.

Mr Sunak said: “Fears are regularly expressed about the future of the hospital, and that is understandable given past events. But this demonstrates a longterm commitment by the South Tees Hospitals Trust to delivering services here in Northallerton and that is very good news.”

The MP said it was one of a number of developments at the Friarage which demonstrate health chiefs’ commitment to the site, including the opening of an ambulatory care unit to reduce overnight stays, plans to recruiting GPs to the A&E department to help treat patients more quickly at weekends and work on the hospital’s new MRI scanner.

“We need to be constantly vigilant about the Friarage but this announcement is very encouraging for those who want great health services delivered locally,” Mr Sunak said.

North Yorkshire-based philanthropist Sir Robert Ogden is jointly funding the new cancer centre with Macmillan.

Patients, staff and visitors are being consulted on the plans before a planning application is submitted to Hambleton District Council.