AFTER six years of intensive fundraising a new £1.5 million Jigsaw building has been given the go-ahead by Royal Bournemouth Hospital directors - and it could be open by 2014.

The Board of Directors at RBH has given the go-ahead for the drawing up of detailed plans for the purpose-built cancer and blood disorders unit and Women’s Health Unit.

Using funds from the Jigsaw Appeals, as well as NHS funds, the two-floor building would be built between the Eye Unit and the Derwent Suite for Orthopaedics. 

Oncology and haematology patients would be seen on one floor, with the focus on day care and outpatients while breast care and gynaecology would be on the other floor in a dedicated women’s health unit.

The NHS trust will now consult with the public over the design and layout of the unit and hope to submit a detailed planning application in March. Once permission is granted the Trust says the building could be ready for use in 12 months.

Jane Stichbury, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Charity Trustees, said: “The Board is delighted to be able to commit the first tranche of funding and to start the next phase of this exciting project.

"We have had previous delays but we now have a proposal that will fully use all the money raised in an exciting way. It really does complete the jigsaw of excellent services that will now be delivered in excellent facilities.”

The charity funds raised to date for the Women’s Health Unit, plus the Board’s support, comes to just under £1.4 million, about £100k below the original target.

Rather than wait for the last amount to be raised the Board has agreed to go ahead with the design work while fundraising continues.

To find out how to get involved log on to www.jigsawappeal.org.uk