Take a look inside the planned Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital as project moves a step closer

Plans for the region’s first specialist cancer hospital move a step closer to reality today (Wednesday) as work starts on finding a construction partner for the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH).

The state-of-the-art new facility will sit in the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and will transform cancer care for patients across the east of England.

A virtual ‘fly through’ and artist’s impression of designs for the new hospital by architects NBBJ give the public a glimpse into how the building might look.

The project, which was first reported in the Cambridge Independent, has been given the green light by the government’s New Hospital Programme to begin the process leading to the appointment of a construction partner, who will build the seven-storey 26,000 sq m facility next to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Prof Richard Gilbertson, the research lead for CCRH, said: “This is an exciting moment for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital as we seek a construction partner to work with us to make our vision for a world-leading facility a reality. This brings us another step closer to changing the story of cancer for patients across the region – and across the world.”

CCRH is a partnership between the government’s New Hospital Programme, Cambridge University Hospitals and the University of Cambridge to build a new regional cancer hospital designed with patient input.

It will combine cutting-edge NHS clinical space with three new research institutes that will support the ambitions set out in the government’s Life Sciences Strategy, and the NHS Long Term Plan.

The hospital will bring together world-class NHS clinicians with cutting-edge university and industry-led research.

The specialist hospital will accelerate the early detection of cancer and lead the way in delivering personalised treatments that will radically improve patient outcomes.

This one-of-a-kind research hospital supports the government’s ambitions to enable more early diagnosis and help the UK become a ‘testbed for oncology innovation’.

Dr Hugo Ford, director of cancer services at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to share these designs for a modern, state-of-the-art hospital, and are hugely proud that these have been developed in partnership with our dedicated patients and staff. Design has a huge impact on the way we experience an environment and a significant impact on wellbeing, so it is essential that we get this right.”

Fiona Carey, patient advisory group co-chair, said: “This is a place that will change the way we find and treat cancer – through patient-centred care. It’s a new, unique hospital with a mission to save countless lives. Together we’ll discover new ways to detect cancer earlier, treat cancer with more precision, and make more break-throughs in less time.”

The Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England and NHS Improvement approved the first stage of CCRH’s business case (the strategic outline case) in November. The approval of the strategic outline case provided backing for the scheme as part of the government’s commitment to build 40 new hospitals by 2030.

Now the plans are progressing to the next stage as part of the government’s New Hospital Programme with approval granted for the project to seek expressions of interest from the construction industry.

Health minister Maria Caulfield said: “We are determined to improve outcomes for cancer patients. The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital has been made possible by our New Hospital Programme, backed by an initial £3.7 billion in government funding to deliver 40 new hospitals and state of the art facilities for patients and staff by 2030.

“The centre will help speed up diagnosis right across the east of England and transform the way patient care is delivered, pairing world-class NHS clinicians with innovative university and industry-led research. I welcome the fact that we are now actively seeking a construction partner for this major project.”

The cancer hospital will provide new capacity for highly specialised care and will enable patients from across the east of England to benefit from world-leading science and improved care pathways.

The CCRH project expects to submit the next stage of the business case process – the outline business case – in autumn this year.

Construction on CCRH is expected to begin in late 2023.