COLCHESTER’S new state-of-the-art cancer centre is set to welcome its first patients after £3.25 million of investment.

The Collingwood Centre at Colchester Hospital is set to receive its first patient on Monday.

The Mary Barron chemotherapy suite and the haematology day unit will merge and move to the new centre which will also offer support services and therapies.

Work started on the new centre at the beginning of the year after the wonderful community fundraising campaign which was supported from the outset by the Gazette.

Caroline Bates, the hospital’s head of fundraising, said: “The Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity has appreciated the Gazette’s support of the campaign over the past five years.

“Now we are delighted the Collingwood Centre will be receiving its first chemotherapy and haematology patients on Monday.

“The final stage of the project, the Cancer Wellbeing Centre, opens in December and that will complete our vision for world class holistic cancer care at Colchester Hospital.”

Lead cancer nurse Sarah Orr added: “A good environment is so important when giving care, especially if you are attending often for treatment and you’re feeling unwell.

“A calm and comfortable environment can really add to a patient’s experience and improve it.”