A health board has announced a shake-up of chemotherapy treatment services with the number of cancer patients expected to increase by 40% in the next five years.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran says as more people survive cancer than ever before, without a new approach there will be a “major impact” on waiting times, patient experience and outcomes.

According to its figures, the number of people being treated for cancer has increased by 35% between 2013 and 2017, with a further increase of up to 40% expected by 2025.

It has outlined proposals for a new local cancer unit to be set up at Crosshouse Hospital, near Kilmarnock, with outreach facilities based at University Hospital Ayr.

More complex cases will be treated at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow.

The review document says having services based at Crosshouse would allow better access for patients from deprived and very remote areas.

Ayrshire & Arran health board says it wants to reduce travel for patients when safe to do so and some clinical assessments may take place over the phone or by video call.

“Community pharmacy will also play an expanded role in delivering chemotherapy services closer to home.

“Sometimes travelling is unavoidable however, for example, for some patients with higher risk treatment needs, the preferred option would be treatment at a centre with the necessary facilities.”

The changes follow a model planned by health boards in the west of Scotland, which will see services delivered through three tiers of cancer treatment.

The Beatson will be the regional cancer centre for complex cases.

Each health board will then develop a local cancer unit for treating the main tumour types and also set up outreach facilities with nurse-led treatments.

Professor Hazel Borland, nurse director at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: “More people are beating cancer than ever before, and thanks to the improved treatments now available compared to a decade ago, more people are also successfully living with cancer.

“This means that we need to grow and reform our local services in order to meet the growing demand for chemotherapy, and meet the needs of our population.

“Under this tiered system more of our patients will be able to receive the treatment they need closer to home.”

NHS Ayrshire and Arran has launched an eight-week consultation on its plans, with a survey available for the public to give their views.

A series of focus groups to discuss the plans will also be held in February in Ayr, Kilwinning and Kilmarnock.