27 January 2012 Last updated at 04:22 ET

Worcestershire radiotherapy centre building to start

Work on Worcestershire's first radiotherapy therapy centre is due to begin later this year.

The NHS Midlands and East SHA board approved plans for the £20m unit to be built at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. It would open in 2014.

Currently Worcestershire patients have to travel to Birmingham or Gloucestershire for radiotherapy.

Adel Makar from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust said: "A dream will at last start becoming a reality."

Mr Makar said: "Real progress can now be made on developing the detailed plans for the radiotherapy centre and developing detailed workforce plans to ensure the necessary additional staff are in place by the time the new facility is opened."

The trust estimates the centre will save patients about one million miles of travel every year.

It said there were also plans to expand the county's chemotherapy services by providing treatment in community hospitals, GP health centres, hospices and the homes of patients.