The growth of Royal Blackburn Hospital's cancer care has continued as a state-of-the-art chemotherapy unit, which is “a world apart from previous facilities”, has opened.

Supported by community donations, which raised more than £120,000 for the unit, the new facility will provide chemotherapy, immunotherapy and supportive treatments to cancer patients.

The newly refurbished “Bluebell Unit” was opened on Thursday, September 26, and follows on from the opening of the endoscopy unit earlier this month.

Darwen resident and patient, Cynthia Roberts, has been receiving treatment at Blackburn for two years and was one of the first patients to visit the new unit.

She said: “I come once a week for anything from two to five hours, depending on which treatment I am receiving.

"The new unit is miles better. It is brighter and has much more room for patients, but also for the amazing people working here.

“The nursing team are always friendly and happy, but they are even more so now – they all tell me how much they love working in the new area. It is much more pleasant to be in.”

Now home to the acute oncology team and systemic anti-cancer therapy team, who are based together for the first time to improve the support available to team members and patients.

It also has a dedicated private room for patients and their loved ones.

The investment has been made possible thanks to the support of a wide number of community organisations and residents who raised the money through various fundraising events, including cave dives and tea dances.

Chief executive at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Martin Hodgson, said: “This new unit is a world apart from what we had previously.

"We now have a modern facility with a calmer, more relaxing environment for patients and a better working environment for colleagues.

“It shows what can be achieved when a community comes together behind a single cause and I want to give my heartfelt thanks to all those who have organised fundraising events.”

Martin also paid tribute to the Rosemere Cancer Foundation which donated £80,000 to ELHT&Me specifically for the project.

Dan Hill, who is chief officer of Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “The new chemotherapy unit is a calming and welcoming environment for patients and the healthcare teams.

“The right environment has been shown to positively influence patients’ attitude towards their treatment and this can even improve their response to it.

“We are delighted to see this project come to fruition and we are extremely grateful to all our supporters.”

The new addition to the endoscopy unit is also thanks to a generous donation of £250,000 that was raised by Labels for Cares.

The introduction of the Olympus Evis EUS endosonography system is expected to enhance the diagnostic capabilities at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, ensuring that patients receive accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.