STAFF at Salisbury District Hospital have celebrated the launch of its new mobile cancer care unit.

It marks six years of working with cancer charity Hope for Tomorrow on the provision of mobile cancer care in Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire.

The first unit was named Kayleigh in memory of a young girl from Chippenham who died from cancer.

Over the last six years Salisbury District Hospital staff have treated over 3,170 patients close to their homes and saved over 291,000 miles and around 21,600 hours in travel and waiting time for them.

The new mobile unit has been upgraded with the latest equipment and will continue to be based at Salisbury District Hospital and driven to locations in Fordingbridge, Gillingham and Westbury, where staff will continue to provide this specialist treatment for people in the community.

Sister Jan Moffat, lead nurse, said: “The unit currently provides chemotherapy to patients with cancer and a range of treatments for people who have low immunity.

"The great thing about this new unit is that it gives us the potential to expand our services and look at other cancer related treatments in the future.

"We are very grateful to Hope for Tomorrow who have provided us with the new unit and for their commitment to the care of patients with cancer in this area.”

Megan Broadley, partnership manager for Hope for Tomorrow, said: “We continue to be proud of the work we do in partnership with Salisbury and are so happy to see them carry on their success with the new unit.”