A new £1 million purpose-built Haematology and Oncology unit has been officially opened at the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby.

The Maple Unit, which has five outpatient consultation rooms and nine day case treatment chairs, expands the growing list of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) outpatient appointments available in the town.

Staff and patients were joined by Chief Executive Officer Professor Andy Hardy, UHCW Chair Dame Stella Manzie and representatives from the charities who helped to fund the development.

Coventry Hospitals Charity, an independent charity founded by healthcare staff and local businesses in the 1980s, donated £845,000 for the building work and redevelopment of the site.

Friends of St Cross fundraised £200,000 for the specialist equipment and furniture within, including the nine treatment chairs.

Dr Beth Harrison, Consultant Haematologist, said: “It is really wonderful to be able to treat patients at The Maple Unit, it is such a lovely facility. The transformation from a disused ward to this special unit is incredible.”

Sam Neale, Lead Nurse Chemotherapy Services, added: “The opening of The Maple Unit is fantastic for our patients, expanding our capacity for treatment across the region.

“It is a fantastic addition to the care we provide at the Hospital of St Cross and continues our drive to deliver care closer to home for our patients.”

Professor Hardy said: “We are delighted to be able to bring a service to Rugby that has never been available in the town before.

“By providing this important patient care closer to people’s doorsteps in a brand new facility, we will be able to provide a complete all round service which aligns with our existing services.

“The opening of The Maple Unit also further shows our commitment to Rugby and the Hospital of St Cross, as well as our priority to put our patients first.”

The development of The Maple Unit continues UHCW’s investment in the site. Last year the Trust invested more than £2 million on improving older buildings, LED lighting, modernising electrics and general refurbishments across the Barby Road site.

Haematology and Oncology services also continue to be delivered at University Hospital in Coventry.