A NEW facility for patients who need blood treatment at Colchester General Hospital has been opened.

The old haematology day unit was so small, there was not enough room for relatives and carers of patients to use it.

The replacement building is three times larger and means patients who have previously needed several separate appointments can now be looked at and treated in one day.

The facility, opened in the former elective care centre after it was moved to a new £20million extension, was welcomed by haematology nurse consultant Jo Tonkin. She said: “Many of our patients come to us regularly over a period of many months or even years, and knew the old day unit.

“They are remarking on the lovely big space we now have, and comment there is less clutter and that the nurses look happy and more relaxed.

“Previously, it was very crowded and there were infection control risks because of the proximity of patients to each other, but the new facility has transformed the experience of our patients.”

Patients now have armchairs to sit in throughout their treatment, and can be joined by a relative, who previously had to sit in the waiting room or go home and return to pick them up later.

In the past year, 585 patients passed through the department, using it an average of five times each.

Patients treated include those with leukaemia or myeloma, those who need regular blood transfusions and people with weakened immune systems.