A massage service at a hospital is set to open its doors today.

The complementary massage treatment will be launching at Barnet hospital, in Wellhouse Lane, Barnet.

More than 25,000 massages a year are already provided at the Royal Free Hospital, which is run by the same trust as Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals.

Keith Hunt, who runs the service, said: “At Barnet we will be staring with oncology and haematology to give in-patients and out-patients some very gentle massage.

“Our work is focused on us being a treat not the treatment, and looking after the person behind the disease while the doctors and nurses are tackling the disease or illness.

“All treatments are carried out with the relaxing Swedish method, with no depth and no pressure points used. It’s a repetitive stroke and in just 15 minutes a difference can be felt. The sessions are free to patients, who will be referred to us by staff.

“Eventually we will add other medical conditions to our work and extend the service to Chase Farm Hospital.”

The service is funded by Barnet Hospital Charity.