A Step Towards A Brighter Future 

Radiotherapy treatment in Swindon inches closer following landmark decision by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

 

The Great Western Hospital's Brighter Futures campaign received a further boost yesterday.

 

The board of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust formally approved the plan to have a satellite radiotherapy centre at GWH.

 

Brighter Futures is working to raise £2.9m to help equip the centre with two linear accelerators, which would deliver treatment in the OUH-staffed centre.

 

The project has now gone to the Trust Development Authority and NHS England for final funding approval and if given the green light, radiotherapy could be available at GWH by the end of 2017.

 

Treatment within touching distance

Dr Guy Rooney, Medical Director for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This decision is great news for everybody in Swindon and Wiltshire as it means that our fantastic hospital is within touching distance of providing local people with radiotherapy treatment on their doorstep.

"A huge amount of collaborative work has been done over the years to get to this very exciting point and I am sure the public will be delighted to hear of this latest significant piece of progress.

"We have already had a brilliant public response to our fundraising appeal and long may that continue."

 

Sainsbury's Support

 

Sainsbury's Stratton store on Oxford Road has also leant its support to the campaign by selecting Brighter Futures as its Charity of the Year, following a swathe of support from the local community.

 

Over the next 12 months the supermarket will give the charity its full backing with fundraising events and more.

 

If you'd like to find out more about Brighter Futures, and how you can help, please visit the official website via the link at the bottom of the page.

 

Pictures by Calyx Picture Agency