CAMBRIDGE CANCER RESEARCH HOSPITAL NEWSLETTER
An update on the programme
Welcome to the latest edition of the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital newsletter. It has been an exciting summer for the programme, with significant progress made over the past couple of months.
In August we had the second stage of our business case, the Outline Business Case, approved by NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and HM Treasury. Following on from the announcement by the Secretary of State back in May, confirming that the programme would be funded as part of the New Hospital Programme, this further demonstrates the government's commitment to the hospital and marks the formal endorsement to proceed to Full Business Case, the final business case stage before construction work can begin on site.
We are also delighted to have appointed our preferred construction partner, Laing O’Rourke. As we move ever closer to breaking ground, we are now working closely with the Laing O’Rourke team to optimise and finalise designs, whilst ensuring we open our hospital on time and delivering the maximum value for money. You can read more about the major hospitals Laing O’Rourke have built in this newsletter and see some of the latest images of the hospital below.
A further key development for the programme this summer was the appointment of Matt Allen who joined Cambridge University Hospitals as Director of New Hospital Construction in July. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, having worked in the building industry for more than 30 years. He recently led the construction of the University of Cambridge's £300m Ray Dolby Centre. You can read more here.
Lastly, we have been working with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority following our submission of a full planning application in January 2023, another exciting moment for the programme. We now look forward to a decision in the coming months.
As you can see, we have achieved a lot and it has been a very busy summer for us all. Thank you for your ongoing support, which is helping us get ever closer to building our new specialist cancer research hospital for the region.
CCRH programme team
Indicative image of Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital's reception area
Indicative image of Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital's reception area
Indicative image of Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital's atrium
Indicative image of Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital's atrium
What an inpatient bedroom may look like at Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital
What an inpatient bedroom may look like at Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital
Indicative image of Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital's front entrance
Indicative image of Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital's front entrance
Major milestones reached for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital
"The approval of the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital’s second stage of its business case and confirmation of its preferred construction partner is a major milestone.
“This facility is set to be the first hospital delivered in the East of England as part of our New Hospital Programme and demonstrates our continued commitment to build 40 new hospitals by 2030, backed by an expected £20 billion.”
In August, our Outline Business Case was approved by NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and His Majesty’s Treasury. This major milestone is an exciting step in our journey to change the story of cancer.
The opportunity for clinicians and researchers to collaborate with our industry partners at Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, to detect the earliest signs of cancer and deliver personalised treatments, will have a huge impact, not just in Cambridge, but across the region, the UK and the world.
The Government's New Hospital Programme is the biggest hospital building programme in a generation, creating world-class health facilities through innovation and collaboration. Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations (CUDAR) are also fundraising to secure additional significant philanthropic funding needed for our future cancer hospital.
Laing O’Rourke are now working with us under a pre-construction services agreement, bringing expertise in modern methods of construction to the programme.
They have already built 18 major hospitals since 2010, delivering state-of-the-art facilities for clinical staff and patients, including specialist cancer care facilities. Most recently they delivered the Louisa Martindale Building in Brighton, the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital, the Grange University Hospital in Wales, as well as the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Liverpool, and before that the Cancer Centre at Guy’s & St Thomas in London.
You can read the full story on our website here.
Architect image of Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and neighbours AstraZeneca (bottom left), Royal Papworth Hospital (bottom right) and Addenbrooke's Hospital.
Architect image of Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and neighbours AstraZeneca (bottom left), Royal Papworth Hospital (bottom right) and Addenbrooke's Hospital.
Professor Richard Gilbertson, Research Lead for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, being interviewed by ITV News overlooking the site where the hospital will be built.
Professor Richard Gilbertson, Research Lead for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, being interviewed by ITV News overlooking the site where the hospital will be built.
Barny's story
"Being able to tell the patient that you are in the best hands possible, getting the best care... that makes such a difference."
Barnabas ('Barny') Baricz Hughes was in his early 20s when he found out he had cancer. He was cared for in the specialist Teenage Cancer Trust ward at Addenbrooke's, designed for 14-24 year olds.
He went for a blood test at his local centre, had a biopsy taken in Peterborough and in April 2021 was diagnosed with Acute-Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), a type of blood cancer that progresses very quickly and affects the white blood cells, responsible for protecting the body against infections.
Barny chose to travel and be treated in Cambridge because of the specialist care the ward could provide, where he could stay comfortably and recover with staff at-hand after chemotherapy.
After months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in August 2021, Barny was cancer free in less than a year.
The current Teenage Cancer Trust ward in Addenbrooke’s will move into the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital when it opens, to continue treating young adults across the East of England with cancer.
Barny has recently joined the Patient Network for CCRH, to share his ideas and lived experience.
You can read his full story on our website here.
Barny in the specialist Teenage Cancer Trust ward at Addenbrooke's
Barny in the specialist Teenage Cancer Trust ward at Addenbrooke's
Barny in the Teenage Cancer Trust ward at Addenbrooke's
Barny in the Teenage Cancer Trust ward at Addenbrooke's
Life changing moments
Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will support patients in the East of England region through the life changing moments that follow a cancer diagnosis.
The hospital will be a collaboration between Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Cambridge and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre.
Bringing together world-class NHS clinicians with cutting-edge University and industry-led research, the hospital will accelerate the early detection of cancer and lead the way in delivering bespoke, precision treatments that will radically improve patient outcomes.
Like and follow our new Facebook page here, to keep up to date with progress on this vital programme.
"Research into early diagnosis has given me the greatest gift - more time with my loved ones."
Watch how our hospital will make a difference to patients
'Like' and 'Follow' Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital on Facebook
'Like' and 'Follow' Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital on Facebook
Engaging with patients, staff and the public
Over the summer, we have continued to engage with staff, patients and the public to hear people's thoughts, ideas and feedback to help shape Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. We spoke to hundreds of staff in consultation and information sessions across a series of pop-up events for staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital and engaged with runners, cancer patients and their families at Cambridge Race for Life.
We are committed to ensuring Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital meets the needs of everyone who may need to use it. Our team recently visited Wintercomfort in Cambridge, a support hub for homeless individuals, to understand their experience of accessing healthcare, and listen to their thoughts and ideas on how both current and future cancer services can better help serve under-represented groups. We also attended a Healthwatch forum meeting in Peterborough last week.
We recently presented our plans for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital to the Cancer Patient Participation Group at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn, and in November we look forward to visiting a cancer patient support group at Peterborough City Hospital. Involving patients and carers from across the East of England in the planning and design of the new hospital is central to the programme.
We will continue to engage with different communities, organisations and individuals from across the region, to listen to people’s views and experience of healthcare to ensure our current services and future hospital operate efficiently and provide an optimal working environment for our patients and staff.
Talking to members of the public at Cambridge Race for Life
Talking to members of the public at Cambridge Race for Life
CUH CEO Roland Sinker taking part in a keyhole surgery simulator activity at a staff drop in event
CUH CEO Roland Sinker taking part in a keyhole surgery simulator activity at a staff drop in event
"OSAIRIS is the first cloud-based AI technology to be developed and deployed within the NHS."
AI cuts waiting times for cancer patients in NHS first
Artificial intelligence developed by and for the NHS at Addenbrooke’s is reducing the amount of time cancer patients wait for radiotherapy treatment.
“OSAIRIS” is saving many hours of doctors’ time in preparing scans and helping to cut the time patients have to wait between referral for radiotherapy and starting treatment.
Working alongside this AI technology, specialists can plan for radiotherapy treatments approximately two and half times faster than if they were working alone, ensuring more patients can get treatment sooner and improving the likelihood of cure.
The technology is currently being used at Addenbrooke’s for prostate and head and neck cancers, but has the potential to work for many other types of cancer, benefitting patients across the NHS.
Dr Raj Jena, oncologist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, led the research for the NHS and University of Cambridge.
We will continue to use developments in AI and research to improve patient care at our future Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.
Events
The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital team and CRUK Cambridge Centre will be at a number of public events in the coming months. If you're interested in finding out more or registering to attend, please click on the links below:
20th October: Experimental Cancer Medicine Demystified
2nd November: Breast Cancer Research Demystified
3rd November: Cambridge Lung Cancer Symposium
16th November: “Day-by-Day: Living with Pancreatic Cancer” – World Pancreatic Cancer Day webinar
Latest cancer news from Addenbrooke's, the University of Cambridge and the CRUK Cambridge Centre
Reflections on ovarian cancer research in Cambridge In recognition of Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, Cambridge Professor James Brenton looks at the reasons for optimism around the disease and patients Barbara, Lorraine, Shirley, Melanie and Margaret share special moments they have been able to enjoy thanks to research.
One million lives saved from cancer, thanks to the power of research
A retired Cambridge scientist who has celebrated her 75th birthday said she is "living proof of the power of research", as analysis from CRUK shows over a million lives have been saved from cancer since the 1980s.
Radiotherapy boost cuts treatment time for breast cancer patients
Treatment times for radiotherapy could be reduced for some early breast cancer patients, according to a trial led by Addenbrooke's consultant oncologist, Professor Charlotte Coles.
Identifying tumour characteristics as predictors of immunotherapy response in aggressive breast cancers
Tumour characteristics could be used to predict whether patients with an aggressive subtype of breast cancer are able to respond to immunotherapy, according to new research.
Find out more and join us
Patients and their families are involved in the CCRH programme in two groups; the Patient Network and the Patient Advisory Group (PAG). For more information on joining these groups, please visit the CCRH website.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for news about the programme and visit our website for more information.
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