Cancer care in North Staffordshire takes a major leap forward this weekend as another part of the new £30 million centre opens. It brings an end to Victorian facilities and takes the University Hospital of North Staffordshire’s cancer services smack into the 21st century. Health reporter Dave Blackhurst took a tour of the facilities

CANCER patients can expect the most advanced treatment in the country at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

New technology means tumours which were previously too dangerous to operate on, because of their proximity to major organs, can now be targeted.

Clinicians say the equipment means the University Hospital is ahead of world-famous centres like Christie and London's Royal Marsden in offering the most advanced treatments.

Clinical director of oncology Andy Moloney said: "We can now get to some tumours which were so deep-seated within the body that previous equipment could not reach them and patients would be diagnosed as terminally ill.

"Now we will be saving people who had little chance of surviving five years before.

"The equipment also means patients can receive fewer radiation doses, cutting the risk of side effects and boosting their quality of life.

"People at the Christie and Royal Marsden now accept we are slightly ahead of them, which means North Staffordshire patients have started to receive the best there is and more cases from places like Birmingham will be referred to us."

The four advanced linear accelerator machines, costing a total of £6 million, have CT scanners which allow radiographers to more accurately locate tumours.

They can also deliver stronger doses because the pinpoint accuracy means surrounding healthy tissue is unaffected.

Up to 200 patients a day will be having radiotherapy treatment once the centre fully opens later this month.

Mr Moloney added: "As well as having the most state-of-the-art technology in Britain, this place is so much brighter, lighter and roomier than the old department at the Royal Infirmary. It takes people's dignity to new levels."

A handful of cancer patients has already trickled in for radiotherapy treatment at the new centre.

This weekend the centre will open to all cancer patients and staff cannot wait to show off their new facilities.

The opening of the two-storey building near the A34 on the City General site comes just months after the unveiling of the £40 million maternity unit.

The redevelopment of Haywood Hospital, in Burslem, follows later this year, while the area's £400 million super-hospital continues to be built elsewhere on the Hartshill site.

Advanced cancer nurse practitioner Rachael Morgan, who is among 150 staff at the centre, said: "No-one can quite believe how superb this place is especially with what has gone before and staff can't wait to get in.

"We are looking forward to seeing patients' faces when it all dawns on them too.

"North Staffordshire doesn't often get the best, but with cancer care it is actually happening and no area deserves it more."

The ground floor of the cancer centre takes in the radiotherapy department with its four huge x-ray machines.

Above it are wards 201 and 202, which will replace wards one and 117 which were dreary and cramped.

Ward 202, the chemotherapy and day care department, has 28 stations where patients can be connected to drugs.

They can often be there for hours so a gardened courtyard has been added where they can relax in the sun.

Ward 201 has 33 beds – an increase of three – with 18 of them en suite.

A neighbouring bay offers a cancer emergency unit for patients falling into the grip of life-threatening conditions such as neutropenic sepsis caused by toxicity.

Up to 20 cases a week become emergencies and patients were previously sent to the accident unit which does not have the same cancer expertise.

Senior clinical nurse matron Gill Adamson said: "I have worked in cancer care here for 18 years and, getting so close to patients and their families, it is emotionally draining when someone dies - but so rewarding when you can bring comfort to their lives.

"People say we do a lot for them now, but just wait and see how much more we can do in here."

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