Cancer unit opens up to give insight on care

The Queen’s Centre for Oncology and Haematology at Castle Hill Hospital, near Cottingham, will be open to the public on Saturday, from 10am to 2pm, as part of the Year of Radiotherapy.

A UK centre of excellence for the treatment of patients with cancer and blood disorders, the centre serves a catchment area of 1.2 million people between Scarborough and Lincoln.

It provides treatment and palliative care in five ward areas containing 116 in-patient beds, out-patient care, a drop-in centre providing psychological and emotional support, a chemotherapy day hospital, six radiotherapy treatment rooms, as well as pathology, pharmacy and medical physics facilities.

Professor Andy Beavis, head of radiation physics at the centre which is run by Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I would like to see as many people as possible here on the 24th so that we can really show off the amazing work that goes on in the Queen’s Centre.

“The work we do here is right at the cutting edge of technology and it is important that the public in Hull and East Yorkshire know that the care and treatment we can provide is the result of us being up to date with the latest radiotherapy technology.”

Visitors can find out about radiotherapy, chemotherapy, treatment planning and careers.

The Year of Radiotherapy marks 100 years since Marie Curie won her second Nobel Prize for the isolation of radium.

It is hoped that by raising awareness of radiotherapy healthcare professionals can help to dispel radiotherapy myths, address common misconceptions and fears and ensure the benefits of modern radiotherapy treatment are more widely recognised.

Free parking will be available for those attending the open day.