TAUNTON MP Jeremy Browne has visited the new Beacon Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.

He has campaigned for many years for full cancer treatment services to be available in Taunton.

Mr Browne was given a tour of the facilities and spoke with medical and support staff.

He said: "The opening of the Beacon Centre is the realisation of a dream for all the people who worked and campaigned for full cancer treatment services to be provided in Taunton.

"It is the most wonderful facility, with dedicated staff, modern equipment and a pleasant atmosphere.

"Nobody ever wants to be diagnosed with cancer, but all patients in future will know that the best treatment possible is available in Taunton.

"Being the relative of a cancer sufferer is also stressful, and every effort has been made to ensure that the Beacon Centre is welcoming to the friends and family of patients.

"In years to come, people will have difficulty believing that cancer patients had to make a daily 100-mile round-trip to Bristol for treatment.

"That dreadful ordeal caused particular anxiety when patients were already feeling unwell from the side-effects of cancer treatment.

"It was a long process to get the Beacon Centre built at Musgrove, and I well remember holding multiple meetings with everyone from the project managers to the Health Secretary.

"The staff who worked behind the scenes to make the Beacon Centre possible deserve great praise, as do the hundreds of volunteers who help cancer charities in Taunton Deane."

Jeremy Browne (centre) at the new Beacon Centre with clinical director Dr Simon Davies and directorate manager Babette Fuller.

[Photo: Geoff Roberts]