State of the art Dyson Cancer Centre opens in Bath
It will offer treatment for 500,000 people across the West Country
A new purpose built cancer centre in Bath that has a 22-bed inpatient ward and a well-being hub welcomes its first patients this week.
The Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospital brings together many cancer services under one roof to create a hub for over 500,000 people in the South West. It includes the RUH’s oncology, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, a dedicated pharmacy, research team and nuclear medicine and physics team.
Cara Charles-Barks, Chief Executive of RUH said: “This is a major milestone for our community- we know cancer affects many lives and this new centre will help transform the care we provide for the people we care for and their loved ones, as well as providing an exceptional working environment for our dedicated staff.
“Together with patients, staff and those with an interest in cancer services we’ve looked at every aspect of the care we provide and the surroundings we provide it in. We’ve worked to create a place where excellent clinical care is matched by a healing environment.”
Ali Underhill, aged 45, from Bath, who is currently using cancer services at the RUH said: “Being diagnosed again at 43 was tough. My cancer can’t be removed by surgery so I'm reliant on systemic drug options to keep the cancer at bay.
“The oncology department is my literal lifeline and I’m there most weeks as my treatment is quite dose dense.
“The new centre for me represents a fresh new environment to continue my treatment for as long as possible. The Staff do an amazing job and will now have modern facilities and a much better layout than the current building. The new building is also more accessible and as someone who has mobility needs I can't wait!”
The new centre is backed by over £40 million in government funding as part of the New Hospital Programme.
Morag Stuart, Chief Programme Officer of the New Hospital Programme said: “The opening of the Dyson Cancer Centre is a major milestone for the New Hospital Programme, the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and, most important, for the population of Bath and beyond.
“This is a perfect example of new services being funded, designed and constructed in collaboration and will improve the lives of so many.”
It was also supported by an additional £10m fundraising campaign from RUHX, the hospital's official charity, including a £4m donation from the James Dyson Foundation and £1m by the Medlock Charitable Trust.
Rhyannon Boyd, Head of RUHX said: “We are so proud of and grateful to all of our wonderful supporters who helped create this transformational new centre for their community, for today and in the future.”
Sir James Dyson, Founder and Chief Engineer, and Lady Deidre Dyson visited the new centre as it was nearly finished. They have a strong connection to the RUH as two of their children were born at the hospital.
Sir Dyson said: “Both my parents died far too young from cancer, so I’ve always tried to support causes that involve treating or researching this terrible disease.
“Bath and the South West desperately needed a new cancer hospital to serve 500,000 people and carry out cutting-edge research- and I was pleased we could continue helping the RUH, after the success of the Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care.”
He adds: “In a way, I hope no one has to come to it. But if they do, I hope the Dyson Cancer Centre will be an uplifting place- one filled with light, art, space and views of nature- for patients and their families, as well as the hospital staff who care for them.”
A key feature of the new centre is the Macmillan Wellbeing Hub, supported by a £1.5m donation from Macmillan Cancer Support. The three storey hub will provide a welcoming, non-clinical space designed around the needs of patients and their families. It will also include comfortable accommodation where relatives and loved ones can stay overnight.
The new Dyson Cancer Centre is located near the main entrance of the RUH and has its own entrance- patients and visitors do not need to enter the main RUH building.
The Macmillan Wellbeing Hub will be open from 8am and 6pm, and patients, loved ones and the wider community are welcome to drop in for information during this time. Face to Face appointments and specific support services can be booked in advance.