PATIENTS and their loved ones will be able to benefit from additional support and care in the fight against cancer if plans for a new well-being centre are approved.

A planning application has been submitted Colchester Council for the cancer well-being centre at Colchester Hospital.

If it wins council backing, work on the centre will begin soon and it is hoped it will open by the end of the year.

The centre will offer services and support in conjunction with the hospital’s new Collingwood Centre, which is under construction.

The Collingwood Centre is the new cancer centre which has been made possible following a successful £3.25 million appeal which was supported by the Gazette.

It will give patients from north Essex a state-of-the-art cancer centre bringing chemotherapy, haematology and radiotherapy together in one location.

The well-being centre will offer counselling and support services for patients and their families as they are treated for and recover from cancer.

Sarah Orr, lead cancer nurse at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Colchester Hospital, said: “We are so grateful for everyone’s support with the fundraising and we’ve worked closely with the Colchester Cancer Services User group to make sure the design of the new unit meets the needs of our patients.

“The aim of the well-being centre is to provide vital support in a less clinical, more welcoming, relaxing and calm environment for people diagnosed with cancer, their families and carers.

“It will also be used to co-ordinate booked appointments for therapies and a drop-in service for cancer patients at any stage of their journey from diagnosis, throughout their treatment and into survivorship, for as long as the patient needs our support.”

Other services being offered at the cancer well-being centre will include specialist information advice and resources including the Macmillan Information Centre, welfare benefits advice and counselling services.

There will also be complementary therapies, physical activity services, hair and skincare advice, practical support and dietary advice and it will also be a venue for self-help and support groups.

For more information, go to colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/cancercentrecampaign.