A PROPOSAL for a radiotherapy unit based in Swindon has received backing from a neighbouring NHS trust.

At a meeting of the Trust Board today, the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust agreed to support the proposal for a satellite radiotherapy unit to be based at the Great Western Hospital (GWH). 

The backing is subject to the approval of the Trust Development Authority and NHS England in respect of the funding needed to support the development over the next 10 years.

The board said unit was needed to meet the increased demand for radiotherapy predicted over the next decade and to reduce the amount of travelling for patients from Swindon and Wiltshire who currently have to travel to Oxford. 

Paul Brennan, director of clinical services at the Oxford University Hospitals Trust, said: “It has long been our ambition to reduce the travel time for patients from the Swindon and Wiltshire area who are receiving radiotherapy in our hospitals. 

“We are proud of the excellent facilities and services that we can provide for patients at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, but we want to reduce the travel time and inconvenience for patients from outside of Oxfordshire. 

“I am really pleased that today we have taken another major step in our project to deliver our services to cancer patients in Swindon and Wiltshire much nearer to their homes, by formally approving the project.

"We are now awaiting approval from the Trust Development Authority and NHS England to confirm that the project is viable in respect of funding.” 

Dr Guy Rooney, medical director for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This decision is great news for everybody in Swindon and Wiltshire as it means that our fantastic hospital is within touching distance of providing the people we serve with radiotherapy treatment on their doorstep.

“A huge amount of collaborative work has been done over the years to get to this point and I am sure the public will be delighted to hear of this latest significant piece of progress.

“We have already had a brilliant public response to our fundraising appeal and long may that continue. 

“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.

“With all being well in a couple of years’ time many local cancer patients can receive radiotherapy at Great Western Hospital – that really will be a fantastic development for local healthcare and for the community generally.”

A fundraising campaign to raise the additional £2.9 million needed to fund the scheme was launched in May.