BARNSLEY and Rotherham Hospital will work together from August in a new combined haematology facility.

The ward will be based at Rotherham Hospital meaning that Barnsley patients will have to travel.

Bosses say that the service needs to have enough specialist staff to make a team that can keep the quality of care high.

All Barnsley haematology patients that need inpatient care, including elective treatments and emergency admissions will go to the new facility in Rotherham.

A spokesperson for Barnsley Hospital said: “The team at Rotherham will work closely with your haematology team, keeping as much of your care at Barnsley Hospital as possible.

“All other care will be in Barnsley Hospital, including your outpatient appointments or chemotherapy day unit care.

“Having one specialist inpatient unit will bring haematology healthcare professionals together in one place to give you the best service.

“The combined unit is equipped to care for all Barnsley and Rotherham haematology patients that need hospital care.

“Serving a population of around 500,000 people, a combined unit helps us to offer a broader range of access to clinical trials and research opportunities.

“These opportunities will support us to be able to offer more choices of treatment.

“If you become unwell at home, you can still go to your closest emergency department, either Barnsley or Rotherham Hospital.

“There will be a consultant haematologist available 24 hours a day to assess you or help you make a decision about your care.

“This could include being recommended to stay in the combined haematology ward at Rotherham Hospital.”