CANCER patients in Purbeck can now receive chemotherapy treatment closer to home thanks to a new outreach service from Poole Hospital.

Specialist chemotherapy nurses from the hospital's Dorset Cancer Centre are providing treatment clinics every Friday at Wareham Hospital, sparing some patients an hour's drive into Poole.

David Forster, one of the first patients to take advantage of the new service, said it was a "godsend" saving him the inconvenience of regular trips from Swanage, where he lives.

“Everyone from the Dorset Cancer Centre has been so welcoming and it’s a real joy to now be treated closer to home," he said.

Fellow patient Richard Dowden said: "With winter coming this new initiative will be really helpful to me.

"Treatment sessions can be long and the room's beautiful aspect looking out over lovely gardens helps to pass the time.

"I've previously received treatment overseas and I can say that the care I receive from Poole Hospital is superb."

The Dorset Cancer Centre provides medical and clinical oncology services for the whole of Dorset, although other trusts also provide oncology facilities, including the Royal Bournemouth Hospital's new Jigsaw building.

Chemotherapy treatments can last several hours and be gruelling and tiring process for patients, leaving them feeling weak and ill-prepared for a long drive home.

Andrea Moxham, matron for cancer services, said: "We understand that having chemotherapy is a challenging time for our patients and that travelling long distances to receive treatment can be exhausting.

"This new service will give our patients the choice to have their treatment closer to their homes whilst still under the care of our skilled specialist nurses."

Wareham Community Hospital is otherwise run by a separate trust - Dorset HealthCare.

"We are delighted to provide this new Wareham-based service for the local community," said Wareham matron Donna Kiss.

"The opening of this clinic works towards our goal of better serving Dorset residents so they have less time to wait and less distance to travel for treatment."

Those interested in having their treatment at Wareham Hospital should speak to their consultant or chemotherapy nurse.