A state-of-the-art cancer care facility being constructed in Guildford reached a significant milestone last Thursday, 15th June 2023. Representatives from Prime, VINCI Building, operator GenesisCare, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Assura plc gathered to mark the topping out of the centre, celebrating a major step forward in advancing healthcare in the region.
The centre will offer highly advanced oncology treatments and patients with cancer will have access to the latest treatment options, including highly targeted radiotherapy using a Magnetic Resonance Image Linear Accelerator (MR Linac), and Theranostics, an innovative and personalised treatment that combines diagnostic imaging and radionuclide therapy to seek and destroy advanced cancers without damaging healthy tissue.
In addition to offering advanced cancer treatments to private patients, GenesisCare and the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust will partner to offer some NHS patients access to technology not currently available on the NHS.
Richard Powell, Director of Construction Strategy at Prime, said “We are thrilled to reach the topping out phase of the new GenesisCare cancer centre. Not only does the build signify a beacon of hope and progress in our ongoing battle against cancer, but this project has also been a testament to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated team, committed to constructing a world-class facility that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.
“The collaborative approach with our construction delivery partner has ensured that the volatility we have recently seen in the construction market has been managed effectively to avoid disrupting the delivery of this much needed facility.”
Justin Hely, UK General Manager at GenesisCare, said “We are extremely proud to be extending our partnership with Royal Surrey Hospital, a recognised centre of excellence for cancer. This collaboration brings added benefits to both organisations and the patients we treat in what will be an outstanding facility.”
Jason Griffiths, VINCI Building’s Regional Director, said “VINCI Building are proud to be delivering and associated with this flagship cancer care centre at Royal Surrey County Hospital. The partnership between Prime, GenesisCare and VINCI has been instrumental in the project reaching this significant milestone, to plan.
“We look forward to handing over the completed facility later this year when the expected patient outcomes can start to be delivered.”
Alastair Barlow, Senior Development Manager at Assura, said: “This is a landmark development for us to be involved with and we are absolutely delighted to see it reach this vital milestone. The new building is a prime example of what can be achieved when organisations work together to provide state of the art medical facilities. This project will be a major improvement to cancer care and treatment, both for NHS and Private patients within the Southeast, and we are very excited to see the building continue to take shape.”
Louise Stead, Chief Executive of Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The partnership with GenesisCare via the establishment of the new centre is a further step forward in our ambition to provide patients with the best care possible. Alongside access to world-class technology the facility will enable our team to establish new dedicated training programmes that will expand the hospital’s expertise amongst a wider number of clinicians, helping to benefit more patients.”
The cancer centre’s construction remains on schedule, and with the topping out phase completed, the focus now shifts towards the interior construction, installation of advanced medical equipment, and final preparations for the grand opening scheduled for early 2024.
