Topping out ceremony held at Dyson Cancer Centre
The Centre at Bath's RUH will help treat hundreds of thousands of patients across the South West
Last updated 29th Mar 2022
Work is progressing to build a new cancer treatment centre in Bath.
A topping out ceremony has been held at the Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospital (RUH), to mark the completion of the frame of the building.
The new centre is scheduled to open for patients in Autumn 2023 and will provide a cancer services hub for half a million people in the South West.
Cara Charles-Barks, chief executive of the RUH, called it a "wonderful milestone".
"After all the years of planning and preparation and the generous support of the people of the South West and beyond it has been amazing to see this new building start to take shape on site," she said.
"Since we broke ground in July 2021 the new centre has gradually emerged from behind the hoardings until we have now reached the highest point.
“We’re really excited about the way our Dyson Cancer Centre will help us transform the care we can provide for patients and families, and the outstanding environment it will provide for our dedicated staff.
"It will be a nurturing and therapeutic environment where patients and their loved ones can receive all the support they need in one purpose built Centre.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who grew up in nearby Bristol, says the centre will help treat hundreds of thousands of cancer patients across the region.
“As part of our 10-Year Cancer Plan, we will focus on rapid diagnosis and innovative treatments to benefit millions of patients across the country and save more lives," he said.
RUH representatives were joined on the day by colleagues from NHS England and NHS Improvement and the Department of Health and Social Care, as well as key donors and fundraisers including Jacky Medlock of the Medlock Charitable Trust.