HE was the millionaire businessman who left his £10m legacy to Poole Hospital.

The late Robert White, who died aged 62 from a rare form of cancer, was so impressed with the hospital team, he vowed to help fund new facilities at Poole and a dedicated new cancer unit.

Now building work begun on the Robert White Radiotherapy Unit and the Cancer Outpatients Department at Dorset County Hospital and the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, was invited for a tour of the site to mark the occasion.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust chairman, Mark Addison and Steve Erskine, incoming chairman, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust were also on hand, along with senior managers and members of the joint project team to view progress on the works being carried out by Interserve Construction.

Mr Campbell said: “Today marks a significant step change in the provision of cancer services to the patients of west Dorset and it was my privilege to be able to personally see the work already carried out at the new site.

“We know that our dedicated cancer teams offer world-class care to patients each and every day and this new building will mean that care will be given from world-class facilities too, which will make a huge difference.”

The building has been funded in part by an extraordinarily generous donation from Poole businessman Robert White, which together with NHS funds secured by Poole Hospital will provide for two Linear Accelerator (LINAC) radiotherapy devices, at a combined investment of £7.4million.

As part of this project, Dorset County Hospital Charity, supported by Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, is raising £1.75 million to build an outpatient department for all cancer patients above the new radiotherapy facility. The charity has just celebrated a milestone achievement of hitting the £1million mark.

The Radiotherapy Unit will act as a satellite centre of the Dorset Cancer Centre and will significantly reduce the journey time that people in the north, south and west of the county currently face in travelling to Poole for vital radiotherapy treatment.

Dr Mike Bayne, who treated Robert White and is Oncology Consultant at Poole Hospital, said: “It’s been great to be part of the official launch for the much-needed cancer centre. We have enjoyed a warm reception today from everyone here at Dorset County Hospital.

“I know Robert would have been delighted that his legacy is making such a huge difference.

“He was an extraordinary, humble man who I think would have been thrilled to see what his money has made possible. It has enabled us to all work together to create cancer services which will match the best in the world and to improve care for all our patients and their families battling cancer.”

It is estimated that each year around 5000 cancer patients and their families will benefit from the new Radiotherapy Unit and from the new Cancer Outpatients Department being funded by Dorset County Hospital Charity.

As previously reported, before Robert passed away, he arranged to sell his vast treasure trove of vintage motorbikes, cars and watch collection to donate the proceeds to the hospital.

The businessman founded Robert White Photographic Limited in 1982 in a small shop in Poole, before growing the company into an international success, with customers from all over the world.