WORK has got underway to create a unique wellbeing centre for cancer patients.

Plans were submitted in April for the wellness centre which will form part of the state-of-the-art £3.25 million cancer centre at Colchester Hospital, an appeal which has been supported by the Gazette.

The latest enhancement to plans is the creation of a garden room at the wellness centre, with large sliding glass doors opening up on to a patio area.

The wellbeing centre will offer counselling and support services for patients and their families.

The wellbeing centre and the Collingwood Centre cancer facility – which will provide chemotherapy – are due to be completed in December.

Sarah Orr, lead cancer nurse at the hospital trust, said: “We’ve deliberately chosen to build it in a relatively secluded location away from the busy environment of the main hospital.

“Here we’ll be able to offer more than just treatment to support patients and their families through diagnosis, treatment and adjusting to life after cancer.”

Victoria Plumridge, of the Colchester Hospital Cancer Services User Group, said: “I’m so excited about this new build and the services it will offer.

“It really will make a huge difference to the experiences of those patients and carers who receive or experience a cancer diagnosis and treatment.”