A CEREMONY was held at Springfield Hospital in Chelmsford to mark the commencement of a major £16million expansion programme that will include a fully integrated Cancer Care Centre.

Patients will receive dedicated care on the hospital site including on site diagnostics, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and admitted care with 24 hour clinical support.

The centre is also linked to the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity and will offer complementary therapies, lifestyle/survivorship programmes and research opportunities.

Local consultant oncologists are involved in the development of the Cancer Centre which is due to open later this year. The centre will provide the latest Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiotherapy (VMAT) and other technology including an electronic medical record system to ensure best possible clinical outcomes for patients.

David Hewitt, General Manager of Springfield Hospital said: “We are very excited to be able to combine the expertise of Ramsay, GenesisCare and local cancer specialists to provide Mid Essex with comprehensive cancer care including radiotherapy, an essential and long awaited service for our patients”.

Springfield has over 20 years experience of delivering cancer services, and bringing the GenesisCare experience in the provision of radiotherapy now allows a fully integrated model of care. Our oncology patients will no longer need to travel up to an hour for essential radiotherapy services, spending time away from their families or work to receive treatment on a daily basis for up to 6 weeks.

Springfield Hospital has a longstanding relationship with the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity who provide patient support on the site.

Lorna Ellis, Centres Manager for the Charity said “We know from experience that our patients find it incredibly difficult having to travel a long distance for their radiotherapy, I know they would very much welcome a facility in Chelmsford which would be much easier for them at this very difficult time in their lives”

Ramsay UK’s CEO, Mark Page said “Providing better and comprehensive patient care closer to home along with actively supporting and developing a cancer outcomes database is a great initiative and at the core of Ramsay’s philosophy of people caring for people. I couldn’t be more pleased to be introducing these cutting edge services to the communities of Essex and Hertfordshire in conjunction with our partners GenesisCare.”

Managing Director of Genesis Care, Mr Dan Collins, said “Cancer patients need faster access to better quality care. We will make the patient journey easier and want to improve the patient outcomes too. Ramsay and GenesisCare want to repeat the successful formula and combine our deep healthcare experience to make this happen. From a radiotherapy perspective, it is pleasing to be able to offer the world’s best practice technology and the latest treatment techniques to a community in need.