Sunrise Centre

The Sunrise Centre is the oncology (cancer) centre covering the whole of Cornwall. It is based at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and opened in 2002.

Facilities include an out patient unit with eight clinical rooms. There are three modern radiotherapy machines that are able to give radiotherapy to different depths and that can be accurately shaped using lead leaves (reducing risk of side effects). The Sunrise Centre has its own CT scanner which is used to plan radiotherapy treatments accurately, as well as offices/meeting rooms. The nearby Headland Unit is a chemotherapy suite (where out patient chemotherapy is given) and where some clinical procedures are performed.

Lowen ward is a specialist oncology/haematology ward, with 19 beds, including seven side rooms. The ward is staffed by trained nurses, and doctors cover the ward at all times. A Consultant oncologist is always on call in case of oncological emergencies. The ward is used to give chemotherapy, or look after patients that cannot travel from home for radiotherapy. Sometimes there are side effects from the cancer itself, or the treatments used, that require patients to be looked after on the ward as well. Out of hours advice for patients in Cornwall undergoing cancer treatments is also available when required, by contacting Lowen ward through the hospital switchboard on 01872 250000.