Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital get the green light
The news comes after Wes Streeting announced a revised plan for new hospitals in the Commons
Last updated 21st Jan 2025
It's been confirmed the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will begin construction in wave one of the New Hospitals Programme.
Yesterday, in the House of Commons, Wes Streeting announced the new, revised plan, comparatively from the previous government, stating some hospitals will have to wait for construction to begin.
However, Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital was announced as part of wave one building, alongside Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon, with construction to be from 2025 - 2030.
The Research Hospital have now confirmed the hospital remains on track to be built by 2029, with construction to begin in 2026.
The hospital will combine NHS clinical space with three new state-of-the-art research institutes, benefiting cancer patients from across the East of England.
In a release posted to their website, the hospital say pre-construction works will be beginning as soon as next month. This will include the installation of hoardings around the new site, and ground clearance work alongside an archaeological dig.
The new hospital will be seven stories tall, built on the corner of Keith Day Road and Robinson Way on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Europe’s largest biomedical campus, next to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, AstraZeneca and Royal Papworth Hospital.
Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner is among those expressing their delight over the announcement.
Posting to his X account, Mr Zeichner said: "I’m delighted that the Labour Government has confirmed funding for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. After years of false promises, Labour has delivered a timeline for this desperately needed facility. A fantastic day for Cambridge!"
South Cambridgeshire MP Pippa Heylings has also shared her delight at the hospitals getting the green light for construction to continue.
She said: “I am hugely relieved to hear today that the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is finally to be given the green light. This is extremely important news for us locally, for our region and the whole country.
“The Cambridge Cancer Research hospital aims to rewrite the story of cancer, transforming the outcomes for millions of people both here at home and across the globe. This is personal, too. The oncology team at Addenbrookes saved my husband's life. But we know that a high price is being paid for missed opportunities to prevent, detect and treat cancer. That’s why it is so important that the Government has given it the go-ahead after a period of uncertainty during its review of the New Hospital Programme.
“Alongside the world-class strengths of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus – the largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe – South Cambridgeshire is ideally placed to deliver this innovation. I look forward to spades being in the ground soon.”
Hospital Redevelopment
Hinchingbrooke Hospital, in Huntingdon, has also been given the green light of confirmation for construction to be completed by 2030.
Hinchingbrooke has been undergoing work, as one of four hospitals in the East of England to be affected by structural issues related to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).
Action was taken once the RAAC had been identified to make the hospital safe.
Phase three for Hinchingbrooke Hospital is part of their redevelopment programme, entitled The Next Chapter.
It's dedicated to building a new hospital on their site by 2030, aligning with the government's New Hospital Programme.
The hospital have been working with architects on what a new hospital will look like, and holding workshops.