STAFF and patients are celebrating the tenth birthday of the treatment centre at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

Costing £15million when it opened in 2005, the centre has served an average of 9,000 people per year.

Team leader at the treatment centre, Debbie Cahill, said: "It is a fantastic place to work and we are very proud to be celebrating the centre's 10th birthday."

Tracey Brock, theatre co-ordinator, said: "Many of the staff who work at our Treatment Centre were here when it opened and have treated thousands of patients over the years.

"Patients who can be treated via our day surgery unit are able to return home the same day and this often reduces the disruption to their lives.

"This has been increasingly important for patients with busy lives over the past 10 years and we will continue to develop services that meet the needs for the people in and around Winchester."

The Treatment Centre has three theatres and inpatient facilities as well as specially trained surgeons that can perform keyhole surgery.