CELEBRITY chef and Hairy Biker Si King has been given the honour of opening the new Hexham Oncology Unit, Hexham General Hospital this afternoon. (Monday October 14). 

The TV chef will meet staff and patients at the brand new unit built as part of the ongoing redevelopment programme at Hexham General Hospital.

In the previous unit, the service treated 365 patients between January and December 2023, issuing a total of 7,348 prescriptions.

Patients spend a lot of time on the unit receiving treatment and the need to provide an environment that is fit for purpose with more staff, increased clinical workspace and support services has become more evident over the last 10-15 years.

Si King with staff at Hexham Hospital Si King with staff at Hexham Hospital (Image: Newsquest)

The new purpose-built Oncology Day Unit has provided the service with a permanent home of its own.

The nurse led unit will deliver high quality, holistic, patient centred care to the West of Northumberland.

The unit will treat patients from a broad geographical area as far afield as the Scottish borders, West to Carlisle, East to Ponteland and South towards Consett and the Durham borders.