A new £1 million purpose built Haematology and Oncology unit has opened its doors 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 for Rugby residents.

Construction to transform the old Mulberry ward, which started in September last year, was completed earlier this month, with specialist equipment and furniture delivered and installed over the last few weeks.

The Maple Unit was developed thanks to some generous donations from local charities.

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

The Friends of St Cross committed their largest ever donation of £200,000 for the specialist equipment and furniture within the unit, including the nine treatment chairs and specialist scalp cooling equipment..

Dr Beth Harrison, Consultant Haematologist, said: “The Maple Unit is a lovely facility and it is wonderful that we have started to hold clinics and treat patients here.

“The transformation from a disused ward to a bespoke unit for our patients has been really exciting.”

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.

“After so much hard work over the last eight months I’m thrilled that The Maple Unit is now open.”

Janine Beddow, Hospital Manager, said: “The Maple Unit 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.

“This welcome investment in the Hospital of St Cross underlines UHCWs commitment to improving patient experience throughout the Hospital of St Cross.”

Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of UHCW, 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 are hope 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 most complex Haematology and Oncology services will continue to be delivered at University Hospital, in Coventry.

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