FUNDING for a new one-stop cancer unit for women has been finalised - and it will open at Ipswich hospital next year.Expert staff from a variety of medical departments at the Heath Road site will be on hand to treat women for gynaecological cancers, including cervical cancer.

FUNDING for a new one-stop cancer unit for women has been finalised - and it will open at Ipswich hospital next year.

Expert staff from a variety of medical departments at the Heath Road site will be on hand to treat women for gynaecological cancers, including cervical cancer.

Around £1m has been found to pay for staff to attend a nine-bed ward for women from across the East Anglian region from mid Essex to north Suffolk.

Director of strategy and service improvements said the hospital could boast a number of disciplines essential for giving the patients the greatest care - which is why health chiefs decided in December 2001 to plant the centre in Ipswich.

Now the arrangements of how the centre - run under the banner of Mid Anglia Cancer Network - will be funded have been finalised and the complex, which will be situated near the maternity wards, is now due to open in March next year.

It will be lead by David Vasey, the lead clinician for the new unit.

"We're very pleased," said Miss Oades. "Ipswich Hospital has the right team to put a lot of work into making sure the patients get right care."

The news will come as an added boost the Evening Star's Raise the Roof Campaign in which we are supported the valiant efforts of Cancer Campaign in Suffolk to raise £100,000 in a bid to complete a separate £300,000 education and information centre for cancer patients and their families at Ipswich Hospital.

n Donations for the Raise the Roof Appeal can be sent to Geraldine Thompson, editor's secretary, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN.