A multi-million pound cancer treatment building is on course for completion by the end of the year at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The new radiotherapy cancer treatment building under construction at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY

Officials at the NHS trust say that the new radiotherapy cancer treatment unit is set to increase capacity by a third when it is fully up and running.

Plans for how the final £4.5m centre will look went on display at the hospital yesterday and will be on show in the east atrium for the rest of the week.

The work by R G Carter has hit the halfway mark and the construction project is on course for completion in October. However, hospital officials are not sure when the centre will be fully operational, which will depend on the installation and testing of a linear accelerator, which will be used to carry out radiation therapy on patients.

The new unit will be next to the hospital’s Mulbarton ward and has capacity to house two linear accelerators. The development will also include a new orthovoltage treatment room with equipment which can treat cancers which sit near the surface of the body, such as some skin cancers, and a waiting area, office space and two consulting rooms.

The project involves the construction of thick concrete walls to contain the high energy x-rays for the cancer treatments.

Tom Roques, consultant oncologist, said: “With life expectancy rising, we anticipate more people will need treatment for cancer in the future and this new facility is critical to help meet that need.”

To help cancer patients avoid a hospital admission, there will be space for a new acute oncology suite close to the ward area. The acute service provides rapid assessment and treatment for patients who are experiencing complications with their cancer or its treatment.

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