A NEW cancer and kidney treatment centre has opened at the Royal Berkshire Bracknell Clinic at Brants Bridge. The first of its kind in the country, the facility means that, for the first time, patients will not have to travel to hospital for treatment. The £28m centre features state-of-the-art renal care and the very latest £1m linear accelerator cancer treatment machine, which is able to pinpoint the exact area where the cancer is and administer a powerful dose of radiation to try to kill the tumour and stop it spreading. The unit also has dialysis machines for up to 20 patients. Leo Bailey, matron for renal services, said: "Patients will be coming here three times a week for treatment, so it will make a huge difference for them not to have to travel to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading." Dr Richard Brown, oncologist and clinical director at the centre, added: "The linear accelerator machine uses high-energy X-rays to target a cancer. What's more, if the patient or the cancer was to move, it can adjust." Artwork for the new centre has been provided by patients and staff at South Hill Park in Birch Hill.
Flagship cancer and renal centre opens
