Cancer patients enjoying free complementary therapy at Halton Hospital (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

New service offers range of relaxing therapies in Runcorn's Delamere Centre

6:50pm Monday 27th July 2009 in News By World reporter

MASSAGE, aromatherapy and reflexology are being enjoyed free by hundreds of cancer patients at Halton Hospital.

A new complimentary therapy service has grown from strength to strength in the Delamere Centre.

Bev Collins, Macmillan cancer information and support manager, said: “Complementary therapies are playing an increasingly important role for people with cancer.

“It helps people to relax and escape from the day to day reality of their treatment and proves really beneficial to helping them cope and recover.”

Refurbishments costing £200,000 are set to give the complimentary therapy suite a bright new look later this year.

It started out with only one therapist and has now grown to 12, offering appointments five days a week.

The team will soon expand to 15, offering 240 appointments a month, all free for cancer patients and their relatives.

Therapies include reiki, aromatherapy, reflexology, Indian head massage, hypnotherapy, hositic healing and hot stone therapy .