THE building contractors have moved on site as work begins on creating Worcester's life-saving breast unit.

William Gough & Sons Limited were awarded the contract following a tendering process earlier in the year and work began this week.

The breast centre will be based at 220 Newtown Road, the far corner of the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site. The refurbishment work will turn it into a state of the art treatment centre for patients with breast cancer.

The building is due to be handed over to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in mid-December, with the first patients expected to be treated early in the new year.

Harry Turner, chairman of the trust said: “We are delighted that the work to turn the current building into a state of the art breast unit is finally getting underway.

"I am extremely grateful to the thousands of people who have raised money for the unit over a number of years. We are now extremely close to seeing the dreams of the Worcestershire Breast Unit campaign becoming a reality.”

Steven Thrush, consultant breast surgeon at the trust, said: “I am delighted that we are starting work on a unit that will improve care for those with breast problems in the county.

"It is the culmination of a lot of hard work by local individuals and groups that have made this possible. I want to thank everyone for their support and enthusiasm.”

Fiona Charny, chairperson of the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign, said: “This is wonderful news, and the culmination of everyone’s hard work over the last few years. A big thank you to all our supporters for their contribution towards the project.”

The new breast unit will provide treatment for men and women with breast cancer in private and welcoming surroundings including a private garden. It will reduce the number of locations patients currently have to attend and help relieve stress for patients.

The breast centre will include a Haven unit offering free, one-to-one, emotional support and complementary therapies for people affected by breast cancer.

As well as helping people deal with their diagnosis and subsequent treatment, the Haven also offers support to close family members and friends.

Their aim is to offer relief to the side-effects of breast cancer treatment and to help with dealing with the emotional impact of a diagnosis.

Work on the breast centre was given the green light at the end of last year after the Worcestershire Breast Unit campaign reached the £1.3 million mark towards its £1.8 million fundraising target.