HOSPITAL bosses have revealed £2million blueprints for a new breast cancer services wing.

Plans have been submitted by Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust to extend the ground floor of Gainsborough Wing at the town’s general hospital.

The project will create extra clinical space to enable the Trust to continue to treat thousands of patients a year, as well as a new entrance and waiting area.

An area of Gainsborough Wing currently providing therapy gyms will also be redesigned to create general physiotherapy, orthotics, prosthetics and neuro-rehabilitation facilities.

If given the green light by Colchester Council next month, the new unit could be up and running early next year.

The work is part of plans to transfer all clinical services from Essex County Hospital in Lexden Road to Colchester General Hospital in Turner Road and its neighbouring Primary Care Centre.

In 2013 and 2014, virtually all the trust’s cancer treatment services transferred from Essex County Hospital to new facilities at the main hospital.

The trust has now agreed plans with the clinical teams at Essex County Hospital as to transferring the remaining services.

Last October, physiotherapy and orthotic outpatient services at the Gainsborough Wing were transferred to community sites, freeing up space and outpatient attendances there.

The plans state: “The vacation of these services in Gainsborough Wing left a significant amount of underutilised clinical accommodation and an existing medical outpatient service that needed substantial improvement to support patient accessibility and treatment pathways.

“This proposal will provide refurbished facilities at Colchester General Hospital for the transfer of the existing breast screening and outpatient service from Essex County Hospital.”

The breast screening service sees 15,000 patients a year and breast surgery outpatients treat 12,000 patients a year.

The wing will undergo three extensions for the project to come to fruition.

There will also be a drop off and pick up area outside the breast services entrance.

The work will be the first refurbishment of the ground floor of Gainsborough Wing since it opened in 2000.

A Trust spokesman added: “The project is one of the key enablers to close Essex County Hospital alongside the development of a new diagnostic centre at Colchester General - due to open in February 2018 - and relocation of ophthalmology, audiology and ENT services to the Colchester Primary Care Centre, also due to complete in early 2018.

"All clinical services will continue without interruption throughout the construction phases of the project and patients will be advised of any changes to their appointment details where required.”

The Trust plans to move all services off the Essex County Hospital site by 2018.

Essex County Council has reached an agreement with the trust to commission work for the site which could then lead to potential housing development.