It's great to see Oxford's new Cancer Centre taking shape on the Churchill site.  £125 million is being invested here to create new state of the art facilities.

The Centre, which is due to open in Spring 2008, brings together cancer services currently provided from outdated buildings elswhere at the Churchill, as well as cancer services presently in the John Radcliffe.

Other Churchill services gain from the new investmet, with a new radiology department, radiotherapy services, a high dependency unit and ten operating theatres.

Another exciting feature of the development is its environmental sustainability.  As well as being designed with low energy consumption, the building includes a geothermal pump which brings up heat from 120 metres under the ground, and also acts as a cooling system in winter.

The design incorporates features sugested by cancer patients themselves, like extensive use of natural materials.

It all goes to show that Labour's record investment in the NHS - and the hard work of NHS staff at all levels - is helping tansform Oxford's hospitals and health centres for the better.