HOW ARE WE DESIGNING A NEW SPECIALIST CANCER RESEARCH HOSPITAL FOR THE EAST OF ENGLAND?

The start of 2025 marks another milestone for the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital project, bringing our specialist hospital for the east of England one step closer to construction.

We are halfway through the fourth RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) design stage and are looking forward to the imminent start of pre-construction works on the hospital site. Meanwhile, we continue to work closely with former and current cancer patients and their families, as well as staff, to make sure we build a hospital that will meet everyone’s needs.

In this RIBA stage we have been looking at the technical detail of the design. With our preferred construction partner, Laing O’Rourke, the project team has reviewed a comprehensive range of design packages, which cover what the hospital will look like and the engineering behind it. This includes close detail on areas such as landscaping and way-finding, as well as finishes and fittings in the building.

Meet the people involved below and see what it’s like to design a hospital that will change the story of cancer.

Hollie Chapman, Design and Construction

Paul Banks and Matt Allen

Five members of the team are standing round a table with the floorpans on for the new hospital. The people are looking at the camera and smiling.

Out transformation team

Members of our Patient Advisory Group

Brick by brick

Meet Hollie Chapman and Paul Banks from the design and construction team.

In 2024 they worked with the planners at Cambridge City Council to secure planning permission to build the hospital. Now they are working on the detail of the design with Laing O'Rourke, considering everything from ventilation in the building, facades and roofing, a fire and evacuation strategy, utilities and interior design.

Paul and Hollie will lead a team that ensures the building meets NHS compliance standards in clinical requirements and spatial planning elements, as well as the technical aspects of infection prevention and control.

Alongside Ellen Nowak from the Cambridge University Hospitals Arts programme, the team is also exploring the role of public art in the new building. Local artists have worked closely with our staff, patients and the wider community to develop a vibrant arts strategy for the hospital. This is an exciting part of the project, helping to ensure the environment of the hospital is welcoming, reassuring and engaging.

Hollie and Paul on the future hospital site

"It's exciting to be part of such a major project on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, working with our staff, partners, the New Hospital Programme and patient groups. We're developing this from inception through to completion, and building a transformational hospital for the future."
Paul Banks, from the Design and Construction team

"We’re incredibly proud of the work achieved so far. The pre-construction works are progressing well and we’ve been working collaboratively with the project team at every stage. Working on a cancer research project is an extremely rewarding job for all involved and one that we at Laing O’Rourke are proud to be a part of. This project will bring a huge number of benefits to Cambridge and the surrounding area, and we know that the hospital will make a real difference and positive impact once complete."

Rory Pollock, Laing O’Rourke’s Pre-Construction Director

The opportunity to transform cancer care

Rachel Bush is a Clinical Strategy Project Manager who has worked on the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital project for over two years, after working on Royal Papworth Hospital's move to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in 2019. "Among other things, Rachel and the transformation team were tasked with reviewing nearly 1,500 design packages as part of the RIBA 4 process."

"The wayfinding package was exciting to work on as we considered every sign in the building and visualised what it would feel like to move through the hospital and what our patients and staff would see," Rachel said.

Rachel Bush talks through the detail the transformation team have considered during the RIBA 4 stage

Alongside Lead Advisory Nurse Elaine Chapman, Rachel also coordinated the patient input during RIBA 4.

Our Patient Advisory Group have discussed everything from inpatient admissions, fundraising, way-finding to organisational development - sharing their lived experience to make sure Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will be a place that meets everyone's needs. The group enjoyed a workshop on landscaping in the hospital, which included the design of the courtyard, the central open space which the hospital will be built around. PAG members also helped the team assess the seating options in the courtyard which is designed to be a place for reflection and sanctuary for patients. When looking at the materials and design of the chairs, the group noticed some of the chairs didn't have arm rests or had low backs, which can be essential for lifting yourself up when your physical strength is affected during treatment.

Patient Advisory Group Co-Chairs Neil Stutchbury and Fiona Carey

Patient Advisory Group Co-Chairs Neil Stutchbury and Fiona Carey

Fiona Carey, the Co-Chair of our PAG, spoke to BBC News about why including the patient voice in cancer research is so important.

Find out more

Fundraising and philanthropy have already transformed global healthcare. Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is your chance to play a powerful part in saving and improving the lives of people with cancer for generations to come, far beyond Cambridge. Thank you to everyone who has already donated or fundraised to make this new hospital a reality. We still have more to do, if you would like to know more about how you can help change the story of cancer then visit our website and get in touch.

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