THE NHS plans to overhaul its chemotherapy services in Ayrshire with more people surviving cancer than ever before.

To meet growing demand NHS Ayrshire and Arran needs to grow and reform the service at Ayr and Crosshouse.

The model has three distinct tiers of treatment facility: Tier 1 – Regional cancer centre for complex treatments; Tier 2 – Local cancer units for treating the main tumour types and some less common cancers; Tier 3 – Outreach facilities with nurse-led treatments.

The Chemotherapy Review Programme Board is now proposing that the Tier 2 site should be at University Hospital Crosshouse and the Tier 3 site should be at University Hospital Ayr.

Nurse Director Professor Hazel Borland said: “Under this tiered system more of our patients will be able to receive the treatment they need closer to home. Making these changes will mean a positive impact for our service users as we shape our health and social care services to make them sustainable in the years to come.”

There will also be focus groups in East, North and South Ayrshire to raise any issues or have any aspect of the proposals clarified.

Focus groups will be held on the following dates and locations: · Wednesday 19 February 2020, 3pm to 5pm, Ayrshire Cancer Support, 22 Welling ton Square, Ayr · Tuesday 25 February 2020, 10am to midday, North Ayrshire Cancer Care, Muirside Lodge, Stevenston Road, Kilwinning · Thursday 27 February 2020, 3pm to 5pm Ayrshire Cancer Support, 5 Dundonald Road, Kilmarnock If you wish to attend one of these, please telephone 01563 826025.

You can complete an online Chemotherapy Service Review Feedback Survey here: www.smartsurvey.

co.uk/s/ChemoReview2020