For those readers of the Marlborough Gazette & Herald last week, who were confused by the headline “Joy as cancer unit moves to site in town”, perhaps I could clarify one or two points. Friends of Savernake Hospital supported the charity Hope for Tomorrow and a mobile chemotherapy unit had regularly been stationed at Savernake Hospital to treat patients where possible. Many local organisations have raised money for this excellent cause. This service commenced in May 2013, although there have been breaks due to technical hitches.

The mobile unit was shared by Great Western Hospital (GWH) and Salisbury Hospital, so used to travel between catchments. GWH has, of course, a chemotherapy unit within the hospital for patients in this area. The comments from the Mayor concerning travel to Oxford and Southampton may refer to (although I have not contacted her to check) patients requiring radiotherapy treatment. This is a completely different treatment and not available at this point in time at GWH. The story should have perhaps more clearly celebrated the launch of a new mobile therapy unit, which we welcome, as a continuation of the mobile chemotherapy service at Savernake Hospital.

The new mobile unit, named ‘Linda’, as your article explained, follows the original unit called ‘Kayleigh’. Bizarrely, the correct information was tacked on to the end of your piece in one sentence that seemed to contradict the body of the story.

We are indeed pleased that ‘Linda’ will be based at GWH and the hospital was officially taking possession on Monday. ‘Kayleigh’ is now based at Salisbury Hospital.

Janet Louth, Chairman of Friends of Savernake Hospital & the Community, Salisbury Road, Marlborough.