There are just weeks to go until the new Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospital in Bath begins to welcome patients, their loved ones and the wider community.
The new Dyson Cancer Centre | Photo © RUH
The £50 million purpose-built facility will provide a cancer services hub for over 500,000 people in the South West.
Ros Helps, RUH Lead Cancer Nurse said: “We have a busy few weeks ahead but we’re really looking forward to moving into the new building at the end of April.
“We’re proud of the care we provide at the RUH but this purpose-built centre will support us to do even more for our community.
“From the welcoming and light-filled atrium and waiting rooms, through to the carefully designed treatment suite, modern inpatient ward, radiotherapy facilities and research lab we’ve looked at every aspect of cancer care so we can provide the best environment and experience for the people we care for.”
A key feature of the new centre is the Macmillan Wellbeing Hub, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, which will provide a welcoming, non-clinical space designed around the needs of patients and their families.
Spread across three floors, the hub includes counselling rooms, complementary therapy spaces, information space, and comfortable accommodation where relatives and loved ones can stay overnight.
The RUH’s Art at the Heart team are busy installing the final art and design works in the new building. Shaped around a ‘Land. Water. Sky’ theme, the new centre has been carefully designed to provide a nurturing and therapeutic environment which supports high quality clinical care.
Interior design, the use of natural light, artwork and installations – many of which are influenced by the local environment – all have an important role to play in creating a soothing and welcoming space.
As final preparations continue for the move, the hospital has said there will be no disruption to services.
Outpatients who would expect to be seen at the RUH in April 2024 will be contacted well in advance with appointment locations and details.
Caroline Gilleece, RUH Senior Matron for Haematology/Oncology said: “Staff who will be moving into or working in the new centre have been getting to grips with the new environment and all that it offers, so we can start making the most of this new building straight away.
Our wonderful team of volunteers will also be having tours and training in advance, so they will be on hand to help patients and visitors find their feet or to offer a welcome cup of tea.”
The new centre is backed by over £40m in Government funding as part of the New Hospital Programme.
The Dyson Cancer Centre was also supported by a £10m campaign from RUHX, the hospital’s official charity, including a £4m donation from the James Dyson Foundation and £1m by the Medlock Charitable Trust.
A further £1.5m was donated by Macmillan Cancer Support to fund the Macmillan Wellbeing Hub.
