NHS England

Shirley Xerxes was one of the first in the UK to receive the injectable form of Keytruda on the NHS

A new injectable form of a key cancer drug could see thousands of NHS patients across the UK spending far less time in hospital.

Keytruda, which is already used to treat multiple cancers, is a type of immunotherapy that helps the body's own immune system attack cancer cells.

Since 2015, NHS patients have received the world's best-selling drug through a drip – or intravenous infusion – which can take more than an hour to administer in hospital.

NHS England says the new injection should cut that procedure to just a couple of minutes, saving patients and staff valuable time.

Shirley Xerxes from St Albans in Hertfordshire was one of the first to receive the jab at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre near Watford.

The 86-year-old said she was in the chair "for a matter of minutes instead of an hour or more".

"It's made such a difference and gives me more time to live my life, including spending more…