After many years of planning, fundraising and construction, Wednesday 22 June 2022 marked the official opening of the new Oxford University Hospitals Radiotherapy Centre @ Swindon.

Swindon was one of the very few parts of the country without a radiotherapy service. The development of a local radiotherapy service for cancer patients diagnosed at Great Western Hospital will mean over 13,000 patient journeys for radiotherapy treatment will be significantly shorter every year. 

A cancer diagnosis affects not only the patient but ripples out to so many others. Radiotherapy in Swindon will offer much needed support to every patient, but also to hundreds of families, friends and carers as well.

We couldn’t have done it without our local communities

Back in 2015, our Trust charity, Brighter Futures, launched an appeal of £2.9million to raise money which would be used to purchase key clinical equipment within the new Radiotherapy Centre.

2,391 days after the first pound was donated, the efforts of the local community were rewarded with the official opening.

It was an incredible 3.5 years of fundraising for Brighter Futures that has seen thousands of local people across Swindon and surrounding communities, including a large number of our own staff, come together and do some truly amazing things for the charity. 

Supporters have jumped out of planes, cycled across the UK, motored to Cyprus and Mongolia, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and taken on the London Marathon and Great North and South runs.

Many more incredible people have held bingo nights, baked cakes, hosted tea parties, shaved their heads and so much more. Together we have been united in the fight against cancer which has affected so many families in our local communities.

We want to say the biggest thank you to each and every person who has donated to the Radiotherapy Appeal. Whether you gave us a pound or a thousand pounds, your contribution has meant that we were able to build this incredible new Centre that will benefit so many.

Click below to take a virtual tour of our Radiotherapy Centre: