You did it! Thanks to the wonderful support of so many local people, I’m delighted to report that our campaign for the Gloucestershire Cancer Institute at Cheltenham General has succeeded.
After several meetings I had with the Prime Minister and Health Secretary, the Government listened and agreed to provide £500,000 of new funding for this transformational new facility. It means we’ve got the green light for the full business case, and the project can now go ahead.
Spearheaded by the excellent Cheltenham & Gloucester Hospitals Charity, the GCI will revolutionise cancer care in our town. It will provide a modern environment for patients, together with digital consulting rooms, space for research, and therapeutic outside space.
That in turn will lead to earlier screening, faster diagnosis and referral. All in all, even better treatment for people living with and beyond cancer. For all those who have been affected by cancer, or know someone who has, this is such positive news.
These new facilities are over and above what the NHS alone could provide, and is a major shot in the arm for Cheltenham General. Critically, it will also help us attract and retain the very best cancer clinicians.
Combined with generous individual donations secured by the Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity, this Government funding is the latest vote of confidence in the future of Cheltenham General.
It comes on top of the £17.2m Chedworth Surgical Unit which opened to patients earlier this year, and the £10.2m provided last year to build a new orthopaedic theatre and birthing unit. We’ve also secured a £6.5m upgrade of CGH’s Radiology Department, as well as £2 million for a new Apollo theatre, £1.25 million for a new cancer-busting robot, and £900,000 to upgrade A&E waiting facilities.
All in all, it takes the total capital investment in our hospital since 2015 to over £40m.
None of this would have been possible without the fantastic support from local people. I can’t thank Echo readers enough!
[Column published in the Gloucestershire Echo]