Shepton Mallet cancer patients offered closer clinic

By Laura Linham 14th May 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 9 minutes ago

A new cancer treatment clinic in Frome is open to Shepton Mallet patients, helping reduce the need to travel to Bath for care.

Shepton Mallet cancer patients are among those able to use a new satellite treatment clinic which has opened in Frome.

The Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment centre, run by Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, opened earlier this spring and has already cared for 200 patients.

The clinic means eligible patients from Frome, Shepton Mallet, Warminster and Westbury can access cancer treatment closer to home, rather than travelling to the RUH in Bath.

For patients in the surrounding area, the service is designed to cut down on long and tiring journeys for regular treatment.

Patient Brian Melksham said: "I'm very happy going to Frome. It's much more convenient and seeing the same friendly faces from the Dyson Cancer Centre is very reassuring.

"The care they give is first class."

The centre was partly funded through public fundraising, led by the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group.

Mel Burcombe, RUH matron for haematology and oncology, said: "We're really pleased we've been able to open this satellite clinic in Frome.

"It means more people can receive high-quality care closer to where they live, in a setting that is calm, welcoming and local.

"Since launching, we've already increased our clinic here from two to three days a week.

"We are very grateful to the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group, who are long-term supporters of the RUH. Their fundraising support has been instrumental in enabling us to bring this service to Frome."

Michael Taylor, chairman of the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group, said the project had been made possible by supporters and funders.

He said: "Together, we are making a meaningful difference, bringing essential cancer treatment closer to home and improving the experience of patients across Frome and the surrounding area.

"A special thank you to the Trustees of the Richard Oatley Foundation for their generous grant towards our fundraising."