A new cancer centre has been opened at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup that will offer treatment for patients locally outside of London for the first time.

The Guy’s Centre opened on Monday and will give more local access to radiotherapy treatments that have previously meant patients had to travel into London for.

Some chemotherapy was already provided at Queen Mary’s but the Guy’s Centre will include two new linear accelerator machines for radiotherapy as well as 14 chemotherapy treatment chairs.

Professor George Mikhaeel, consultant clinical oncologist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ who has led the project to develop Guy’s Cancer at QMH, says: “Many local people will benefit from having chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment closer to home and under one roof in a purpose-built facility.

“This new Cancer Centre brings the same high quality treatment available in the new Cancer Centre at Guy's Hospital close to patients living in Bexley and the surrounding areas who currently travel into central London for treatment.”

Guy’s Cancer at QMH is part of a £30 million redevelopment of the Sidcup hospital site by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust which owns and manages it.

Patient Anita Latham-James from Erith in Kent said:

"I used to have to go to Guy's Hospital. It's nice to have it more local as well. If you're having other treatments as well it makes you very tired, going up on the train every day.

"I am going to look at the complementary therapies because I haven't done that. Chatting to my nurses it would be beneficial for me to go.

"It's nice to know that it is just round the corner. I can be here in 15 minutes."

Guy’s Cancer also includes a new Dimbleby Macmillan Support Centre, an information and supportive care service for cancer patients and their families.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ new Kidney Treatment Centre, run in partnership with kidney dialysis specialists Diaverum, opened at QMH on Monday 24 April.