A £1MILLION state-of-the-art centre is to be built at Broomfield Hospital to help fight cancer.

NHS bosses have unveiled plans to open a new £1.2 million chemotherapy centre.

They say the centre will enable the hospital to see more cancer patients in a welcoming environment, while keeping them safely distanced.

The new centre is is expected to be completed and open to patients in May.

Broomfield says the centre will be larger than the existing one, increasing the number of chemotherapy stations in its day unit from 14 to 18 chairs and two beds.

It means patients will be able to receive their potentially life-saving treatment more quickly.

As well as giving them more space, the hospital say it will also give patients more privacy and dignity.

The centre will also include an outpatient consultation suite with two consultation exam rooms and two interview rooms.

Lisa Villiers is a Macmillan chemotherapy consultant nurse at Broomfield.

She said: “We’ve really listened to patient feedback and they’ve told us that they would like a light and calming environment, a spacious waiting area and car parking next to the unit.

“It’s a really positive move and will create a more suitable environment to meet patient needs.

“It will give us more space to treat patients and help cut the waiting time for patients to start chemotherapy.”

There will also be staff changing and rest areas, toilets and offices, and the new centre will have its own chemotherapy preparation pharmacy room with a member of the pharmacy team based there.

The hospital stressed that chemotherapy is still being carried out as normal at while the new build is being completed.