A NEW chemotherapy day unit has opened as part of a major overhaul of services for cancer patients in East Lancashire.

An expanded department has been unveiled at the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, alongside improved facilities for cases involving younger people.

The development comes after a successful £100,000 campaign by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust to open a new chemotherapy unit in partnership with the Rosemere Cancer Foundation at Burnley General Hospital last year.

In Blackburn, the unit has relocated for the third floor to larger premises on the top floor of the Haslingden Road site and is now comprised of six ‘more spacious’ en-suite treatment rooms.

One will be equipped with games consoles and a DVD player and consultants within the team, who have previously had to share offices, will now have their own rooms.

The reception and waiting area is said to be larger and the unit will also benefit from a quiet room, to consider the implications of their treatment.

Ruth Brierley, the chemotherapy unit’s manager, said: “We needed more space in our unit as services expanded and the patient demand grew.

“The move to a bigger and better unit really will improve everything for staff and patients.”

Several extra positions are also expected to be created within the unit in future.

Kevin McGee, the hospitals trust’s chief executive, added: “We have first-rate services and a first-rate team, who now have first-rate accommodation to provide more effective care for our patients.”

Plans are still proceeding for the joint Rosemere and ELHT unit, which saw £100,000 raised in 10 months by supporters.

The other half of the anticipated cost is being paid for by the trust, which will also be meeting the day-to-day bills for the venture.

The Burnley project, part of the phase eight works at the Casterton Avenue complex, will be situated next to the breast care unit, which allows patients to have their screening, consultation and chemotherapy at the same location.

It is expected work may be completed by the end of June.

Rosemere, which is based on the Royal Preston Hospital site, also runs a specialist liver cancer centre at Blackburn, as well as services at Blackpool Victoria and Morecambe Bay hospitals.