A BRICK-laying ceremony was held at Dorset County Hospital as building work gets underway at a unit set to make a 'huge difference' to people who live in West Dorset.

Health chiefs came together for an update on the development of the new radiotherapy unit at Dorset County Hospital. 

Representatives from the hospital were joined by the Mayor of Dorchester, Councillor Susie Hosford, and representatives from Poole Hospital for a tour of the building.

The radiotherapy unit is set for completion in March 2018 and has been partly funded by a 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.

Cllr Hosford said she was very impressed with how quickly the development has progressed.

She said: “It is very exciting. I can’t believe how quickly it seems to be growing. It is such an exciting project and it is going to make such a difference to people who need this service. 

“It is bigger than I expected. I am amazed by how large the space is and how much they can fit into it.”

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Chairman, Mark Addison, joined Cllr Hosford to lay one of the building’s bricks.

Mr Addison said: “It is terrific. The construction has come on amazingly and it will make a huge difference to people who live in West Dorset, in places like Lyme Regis.

“I would say this is the biggest single improvement to the hospital’s facilities since it was built.”

The construction team will now focus on finishing the building's exterior. According to Simon Duck, Senior Site Manager for Interserve Construction Limited, who are undertaking the development, cladding still needs to be installed along with the building's roofing structure.

As part of the project, Dorset County Hospital Charity, supported by Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, will raise £1.75 million to build an outpatient department for all cancer patients above the new radiotherapy facility.

Simon Pearson, head of funding at Dorset County Hospital said: “Effectively the community have invested their time to fundraise for it. We have heard personal stories of people who are pleased they won’t have to travel as far for their treatment. I think that is why we have received such great support. This is the NHS in development in West Dorset and people from the community have made it happen.”