BUILDING work has begun on a multi-million pound cancer treatment centre in Northallerton.

The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre will be based at the Friarage Hospital to provide a modern, state-of-the-art facility for cancer patients.

The centre, which will cost around £10m, will include a chemotherapy treatment lounge able to treat up to 35 patients a day, complementary therapy facilities and treatment and consulting rooms.

A Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre and supporting accommodation for patients, which will include telemedicine facilities, will also be key features of the development.

It is being funded by local philanthropist Sir Robert Ogden, Macmillan and the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Macmillan volunteers and Friarage Hospital staff and patients were joined by Lady Halifax, President of Macmillan Cancer Support, Trust chiefs and MP Rishi Sunak to mark the start of construction which coincided with Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Siobhan McArdle, chief executive of the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This new development, which staff and patients will see beginning to take shape over the coming months, demonstrates our long-term commitment to delivering clinically safe and sustainable services to the people of Hambleton, Richmondshire, Whitby and the surrounding area from the hospital.”

Rishi Sunak MP said it was “incredibly exciting” to see this new development taking shape and welcomed the generous donation of Sir Robert and Lady Ogden.

He said: “It will mean that cancer treatment here is going to get even better, which is great for the local community.”

Paul McCavana of Macmillan said it was great to see the start of building work on the centre following three years of planning.