New building for cancer treatment to be formally opened

The new radiotherapy cancer treatment building, the Winterton Unit, at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital will be officially opened next week on the 20th May by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO.

The Duke of Gloucester, also President of Cancer Research UK, will tour the treatment facilities with the Head of Radiotherapy Jenny Tomes and Jo Segasby, Director of Women, Children and Cancer Services. He will also meet staff and the design and build team and unveil a plaque to commemorate the formal opening of the building.

The Winterton Unit will expand the world class radiotherapy facilities at NNUH increasing the radiotherapy capacity by a third over the next five years. The first linear accelerator has been installed and is now being used to treat patients with cancer. The building was future-proofed with additional space for a second linear accelerator which will be installed at a later date as demand dictates, making a total of six linear accelerators at NNUH.

Jo Segasby, Director of Women, Children and Cancer Services says: “The staff are delighted that the Winterton Unit will be opened by The Duke of Gloucester, it is an honour to receive him here as a guest.”

Jenny Tomes, Head of Radiotherapy says: “This new facility is part of our world class cancer services and it will be vital in meeting the potential future needs of local people.”

Notes to Editors:

The Winterton Unit costing £4m was funded from the capital programme.

NNUH current fundraising is for the Targeted Radiotherapy Appeal for £600,000 to provide brachytherapy which reduces treatment times and allows patients to be treated closer to home. The appeal has passed the halfway mark and is at £385,000. This will mean that NNUH will be able to treat more patients and will become just one of ten hospitals in the country to propose prostate brachytherapy.