The tower crane helping to build the new Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospital in Bath has been named following a close-run public vote.
How the new Dyson Cancer Centre will look | Inset: The crane that has been named | Images © RUH
Patients, staff and the local community all put forward suggestions for the 40m crane, now called ‘Crane Austen’, which is a prominent feature on the Combe Park site.
Libby Walters, Director of Finance and Senior Responsible Officer for the project, said: “You really can’t miss the crane at the front of the RUH, it’s become a bit of a landmark already.
“It will be with us for a while, so we asked people to help find a suitable name. We had an amazing response with so many patients, staff and members of the public suggesting creative, amusing and imaginative names – thank you to everyone who got involved.
“It was very tough but in the end we narrowed it down to three suggestions, and asked our community to make the final decision by voting for their preferred name.”
Nicola Cretney from Frome came up with the ultimate winning suggestion. She explained: “When I saw the RUH was asking for names, ‘Crane Austen’ popped into my head without me giving it any real thought.
“I love Jane Austen novels and know she has a strong connection with Bath and I liked the play on words!
“With so many people affected by cancer, the Dyson Cancer Centre feels like a reassuring development for local people.
“Being able to receive treatment, as well as the practical and emotional support that is so important to patients and families when faced with a cancer diagnosis, in a modern, purpose designed building will hopefully be of huge value to those of us who access services there.”
The newly named crane is already busy at work supporting the building phase of the new cancer centre at the RUH.
Since breaking ground in July 2021, construction partner Kier has already completed groundworks at the site, and the frame of the building is rapidly taking shape with first floor slabs already being laid in the three-storey structure.
Scheduled to open for patients in autumn 2023, the Dyson Cancer Centre will include oncology, chemotherapy, radiology and research services as well as a 22-bed inpatient ward and a specially designed Macmillan Wellbeing Hub.
