New cancer surgery centre for Royal Surrey in Guildford
It is to meet growing demand across the South East
The Royal Surrey Hospital has announced plans for a new multi-million pound cancer surgery centre, with work expected to start in 2022.
Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust says it will be based in Guildford and is being built to meet the growing demand for people in Surrey and across the South East.
The Trust plans to invest £25 million in the Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre, with further funding sought through fundraising.
It said with earlier diagnosis, demand for cancer surgery is growing - allowing effective surgical treatment at an earlier stage than has been possible in the past.
Advances in oncology treatments have also improved the opportunity for effective surgical treatment.
The new centre is expected to include:
• A redesign of Royal Surrey’s theatres to support modern pathways of care for a high volume of cancer surgery as well as benign specialties such orthopaedics and ophthalmology;
• New spaces for patients to prepare, rest and recover from surgery;
• New equipment and technology, including new robotic surgical equipment - surgical robots are predominantly used for cancer surgeries and benefits include fewer complications and faster recovery times;
• New theatres to increase capacity - several thousand more patients will receive surgical procedures every year, including life-saving cancer surgery, lowering waiting times at a time of unprecedented demand;
• A focus on ambulatory care (less than 24 hour stays) with a redesigned short stay surgery unit; and
• Enhanced training and education facilities to support innovation and to train the next generation of surgeons.
There will also be dedicated ‘green’ areas for surgery – protected from the risks of Covid – so that it is in a stronger position to continue uninterrupted in future pandemic or crisis scenarios.
Louise Stead, CEO, Royal Surrey said: “We are investing in the health of our community and the future of our Trust.
"This new centre will be a pioneering institute for innovation and excellence for a wide range of surgical specialities, including a high volume of cancer surgery.
"We are looking forward to working on this new centre with our colleagues and community so that people in Surrey and the South East region can access the latest treatments in an innovative, modern setting.
South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt is leading a fundraising campaign for the additional funds: “Royal Surrey is already a leading light in cancer care but this new centre will be a game changer locally and further improve the cancer services and care on offer.
"With the challenge of early cancer diagnosis and the demands of the Covid backlog, this news could not have come at a better time so I want to make sure we finish the job by raising the extra funds necessary to make sure the centre reaches its full potential.
"Today's news is a fantastic first step, though, and given half of us will get cancer in our lifetimes is one that is relevant to every family locally. Please support the campaign with a donation however large or small.”
Sir Simon Stevens, former Chief Executive of the NHS said: "Improving cancer survival rates was a big priority for both Jeremy and I when we worked together.
"Jeremy's high-impact campaigning has spotlighted the need for the Royal Surrey's new Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre, so it's great that NHS funding has now been agreed."
The centre will serve not only the population local to Royal Surrey but also the wider catchment area (up to 3 million) served by networked surgical specialties.
The final scheme when developed will be subject to usual planning and NHS processes.