An expansion of cancer services in Norfolk is set to begin with the launch of a pioneering mobile treatment unit. The Mobile Cancer Care Unit (MCCU) will hit the road from next Tuesday (12 January) thanks to a partnership between our hospital, the N&N Hospitals Charity and cancer charity Hope for Tomorrow.

The programme will start in Fakenham and will include Dereham, Attleborough and Beccles over the next few months.

The unit is owned and maintained by Hope for Tomorrow and will be provided along with a Nurses’ Support Vehicle (NSV). The Hospitals Charity will fund the cost of two registered nurses, a driver, Pharmacy support and a booking team for three years.

Joanna Richardson, Lead Cancer Nurse, said: “Many patients travel a more than a 50-mile round trip to receive their treatment, with many others travelling from outside Norfolk. This initiative allows them to travel to a convenient location nearby and be treated by the same team of nurses from our hospital, giving patient confidence and improving experience.”

John Paul Garside, Charity Director, said: “We are delighted to be providing nearly £600,000 of funding over the next three years to run the Mobile Cancer Care Unit. The funding is from a legacy received by the charity and will be used to provide all running costs such as staff and clinical equipment for the service. Working in conjunction with Hope for Tomorrow means that the N&N Hospitals Charity is at the heart of helping to be part of improving facilities for cancer patients across Norfolk.”

Tina Seymour, Chief Executive of Hope for Tomorrow, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with NNUH, furthering the reach of our Mobile Cancer Care Units into another group of communities. We send our very best wishes to all of the patients who will receive treatment on board. We look forward to their feedback as their cancer treatment becomes more convenient, giving them valuable time to spend doing something other than travelling to hospital appointments.”