Fitzpatrick Referrals Oncology and Soft Tissue Centre.

A new cancer centre that promises to change the treatment of animal cancer opened in Surrey yesterday (2 September).

Fitzpatrick Referrals Oncology and Soft Tissue (FROST) Centre is the result of a dream long-held by Noel Fitzpatrick, who is world-renowned in veterinary neuro-orthopaedics.

Its launch coincides with the 10th anniversary of Fitzpatrick Referrals.

Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans opened the centre, which is located at the Surrey Research Park in Guildford. It is unique in Europe, bringing together world-class specialists and collaborating with human clinical partners.

...we will bring new ideas to define the treatments of the future

Commenting on the launch, Professor Fitzpatrick said: "Whilst this building will impress and contain the latest equipment, it is the team of people inside that makes it truly outstanding. We aim to deliver all of the options to all of the animals all of the time.

"We will also work with our human colleagues to better inform the treatment of human cancer; after all a cancer cell doesn’t care if you are an animal or human; most human and animal cancers are very similar and we share many of the same diseases.

"In this way we will bring new ideas to define the treatments of the future."

Cancer is the second biggest killer of companion animals, after trauma. Half of dogs and a third of cats over the age of 10 die from cancer.

Modelled on the world's leading human hospital, the Mayo Clinic, the new FROST centre is custom-built to meet the needs of all cancer patients.

It is the first animal hospital in Europe to bring together world-leading medical and surgical oncologists, to help gain a better understanding of animal cancers.

Chris Evans and Noel Fitzpatrick at the opening of the new hospital.

Its staff includes Professor Nick Bacon - one of two people in Europe to complete a fellowship in surgical oncology - and Dr Kelvin Kow, Europe's only oncologist to have completed a fellowship in medical oncology.

State-of-the-art facilities include a chemotherapy suite, four surgical theatres, the latest anaesthesia technology, digital x-ray, Toshiba ultrasound and 160 slice CT machine, as well as silver-impregnated antibacterial wall coverings in key parts of the hospital.

Patient wards will have a no-bar policy, using instead the glass doors introduced for the first time at Fitzpatrick Referrals 10 years ago. Cats will also have a separate waiting area and completely private ward to minimise stress.

As well as cutting edge facilities and equipment, the centre will offer a high level of pastoral and clinical care. It will also undertake clinical research at the coalface of practice.

Tumour conferences will be held with all specialists each week to discuss every cancer patient and make a choice about the best way to move forward with treatment.

Professor Stuart Carmichael said: "We are going to work hard to bring other veterinary practitioners and students on the journey with us, to change the delivery of veterinary cancer care forever and by working on improving early diagnosis and detection and by offering training and education we’ll bring veterinary oncology into the 21st century for all animals and their families."

Image credits: FROST Centre © Matthew Hicks; Noel Fitzpatrick and Chris Evans © Chris O'Donovan