Guy’s Cancer Centre reaches practical completion
19 April 2016
A major milestone in the development of a new £160 million Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital has been reached following the completion of construction.
The 14-storey building was handed over by main contractors Laing O’Rourke to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust on Monday 18 April. Handover took place three years almost to the day since demolition of two smaller buildings on the site cleared the way for building work to start. It signals the start of the final phase of the multi-million pound project so that the new Cancer Centre is ready to welcome its first patients this autumn.
Medical equipment including six linear accelerators – the first radiotherapy machines in Europe to treat patients above ground – will be tested, artworks installed, new integrated technology connected, and the building fitted out. Staff will have orientation and induction visits to their new home and ‘dummy clinics’ will test out new ways of working using the latest healthcare technology.
The new Cancer Centre at Guy’s will bring together most treatment under one roof – currently cancer care is provided in 13 different locations in eight different buildings on the St Thomas’ Hospital and Guy’s Hospital sites. It will also include an Innovation Hub, which will be the focal point for cancer researchers from King’s College London, and a Dimbleby Cancer Care drop-in information and support service for cancer patients and their families.
Diana Crawshaw, who chairs the Patient Reference Group which has shaped the new Cancer Centre, says: “Patients have been consulted at every stage of the development and we continue to be actively involved during the final phase, as we anticipate the care of patients in a world-class environment.”
Dr Majid Kazmi, Clinical Director of Cancer Services at Guy’s and St Thomas’, adds: “It is fantastic to reach this point with the new building. There is still a great deal of work to be done to prepare for opening to patients but we have a great team working on this and our staff are getting excited about moving in.”
Sally Laban is the Programme Manager for the new Cancer Centre project and part of the team in Essentia – Guy’s and St Thomas’ estates, facilities, capital development and IT directorate – which has led the development. She says: “This is a significant milestone for this project which will undoubtedly transform cancer care and the patient experience.
“There’s a real sense of realising the Trust’s vision as our landmark Cancer Centre fits into the London landscape. Laing O’Rourke’s success in delivering the project on time and without causing disruption to either the local community or patient appointments at Guy’s is a fantastic achievement.”
Guy’s Cancer Centre has been designed by architect Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and specialist healthcare architect Stantec. Arup provided integrated design engineering services. Main contractor Laing O’Rourke built the Cancer Centre and led the project team.