New £1m unit opens at St Cross, meaning Rugbeians can now receive chemotherapy in the town's hospital

Many Rugbeians will now not have to travel to Coventry to receive chemotherapy, thanks to the opening of a a £1 million purpose-built Haematology and Oncology unit at St Cross.

Work on what was the Mulberry Ward began in September last year and, following the delivery and installation of specialist equipment and furniture, the site opened as the The Maple Unit.

The unit has five outpatient consultation rooms and nine day case treatment chairs, and expands the growing list of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

(UHCW) outpatient appointments available in the town.

The £1m transformation was donated thanks to the efforts of fundraisers.

Coventry Hospitals Charity, a charity founded by healthcare staff and local businesses in the 1980s, donated £845,000 for the building work and redevelopment of the site.

And the Friends of St Cross fundraised £200,000 for the specialist equipment and furniture within, including the nine treatment chairs.

Dr Beth Harrison, Consultant Haematologist, said: “The Maple Unit is a lovely facility and it is wonderful that we have started to hold clinics and treat patients here.

“The transformation from a disused ward to a bespoke unit for our patients has been really exciting.”

Sam Neale, Lead Nurse Chemotherapy Services, added: “The opening of The Maple Unit is fantastic for our patients, expanding our capacity for treatment across the region.

“After so much hard work over the last eight months I’m thrilled that The Maple Unit is now open.”

Janine Beddow, Hospital Manager, said: “The Maple Unit is a fantastic addition to the care we provide at the Hospital of St Cross and continues our drive to deliver care closer to home for

our patients.

“This welcome investment in the Hospital of St Cross underlines UHCW's commitment to improving patient experience throughout the Hospital of St Cross.”

Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of UHCW, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring a service to Rugby that has never been available in the town before.

“By providing this important patient care closer to people’s doorsteps in a brand new facility we are hope to provide a complete all round service which aligns with our existing services.

“The opening of The Maple Unit also further shows our commitment to Rugby and the Hospital of St Cross as well as our priority to put our patients first.”

Haematology and Oncology services continue to be delivered at University Hospital, in Coventry.

The development of The Maple Unit continues UHCW’s investment in the site.

Last year the Trust invested more than £2 million improving older buildings at Rugby, on LED lighting, modernising electrics and general refurbishments across the Barby Road site.