THE opening of a new £30 million cancer centre has passed without a hitch.

Nine patients underwent treatment for tumours and a further three had their therapy planned during the first day of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire's new unit.

The complexity of the switch-over, from the existing radiotherapy unit at the Royal Infirmary, means health officials have staggered the opening.

One of the department's four linear accelerators, which cut out tumours, were put into action on Monday.

The new complex's chemotherapy department and ward will be unveiled later this month, with the old unit closing its doors for the last time on July 24.

Until then the two will be running side by side and only newly-diagnosed patients will be directed to the new surroundings on the City General site near the A34.

A hospital spokesman said: "The first day was extremely successful. The team utilised all the equipment as much as possible, using some of the new methods now available to them successfully.

"Patients were impressed with the new surroundings, remarking on it being comfortable, light and airy – the weather allowed them to make the most of the outside courtyard."

The opening comes two months after the arrival of a £40 million maternity unit with the rest of the area's £400 million superhospital following in three years' time.