ALCESTER and Bidford residents receiving cancer treatments might not have to travel so far in future, after the go-ahead was given to building a new £20 million hospital in Stratford.

Approval for the development was given by the council of governors for South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, with the first phase of the hospital planned to create cancer and ophthalmology services, in a new building alongside the current hospital on the same site.

All current services will all be maintained through the building work with the new hospital due to be twice the size of the current one.

Currently many cancer patients have to travel to Warwick Hospital for treatment, so the new facilities should be a much shorter journey.

Jayne Blacklay, director of development for the trust, said: “For a number of years I have wanted to develop services at Stratford Hospital to provide more care closer to home. I have been overwhelmed with the local support for this development, it has confirmed that this is key to our provision for future healthcare. A tremendous amount of work has gone in to the development of the case to support this build and I can’t wait to get started with the work.”

“A key driver for this development is the expected population increase in Stratford from proposed housing developments. With support from district council colleagues, we have applied for financial contributions from developers to enable us to accommodate the healthcare needs of the new population without compromising care for the existing population.”

The trust is holding a public meeting on Tuesday, March 4 where people can find out more about the development, and which treatments will be available, As well as getting the chance to put their questions to the governors.

The meeting is taking place from 6pm in the Stratford District Council offices.

Alcester and Bidford residents interested in attending should reserve a place by contacting the membership department on 0800 085 2471 or by writing to membership@swft.nhs.uk.