Patients with blood disorders will see major improvements to services in Bradford thanks to a £100,000 revamp of an acclaimed hospital unit.

Among key developments will be the expansion of the room used by day patients at the Annette Fox Haematology Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Thousands of patients have been given life-saving treatment there since it was opened by the Duchess of Kent five years ago, blazing a trail for day care in the field which has been followed in the rest of the country.

Doctors say the venture offering care to patients as they undergo chemotherapy or blood transfusions has been so successful it now urgently needs extra space.

Work will be carried out this year to double its size thanks to cash from the Annette Fox Leukaemia Research Fund which was given a huge boost when more than £15,000 was raised from the charity's sell-out annual dinner dance in Ilkley.

Consultant haematologist, Dr Liakat Parapia, said the unit was used by between 15 to 20 people each day, enabling them to read, watch television, chat to other people or have counselling in better comfort as they were given treatment which often took several hours.

Further changes were also planned in coming months thanks to the charity including investment in extra equipment and improving kitchen facilities.

"When it started it was a unit for four people but it has quickly outgrown that and the idea now is to convert a room to add to that," he said.

"We are keeping people alive quite literally with the services offered here and it is important people keep giving blood to help us do that."

Patient Jackie Bailey, 55, of Wibsey, has multiple myeloma which requires fortnightly blood transfusions lasting about three hours in the unit.

"I've used it since it started. It's a good idea to expand it," she said.

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