Plans for the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital have taken a step forward with government approval for the next stage of the business case.
NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and HM Treasury have approved the second stage of the outline business case for the hospital, which is set to be the first delivered in the East of England under the government’s New Hospital Programme.
The approval comes as Laing O’Rourke is appointed the preferred construction partner for the hospital’s next phase of design.
The international construction firm will help finalise designs and ensure maximum value for money under a pre-construction services agreement.
The seven-storey, c.26,300 sq m hospital planned for the Cambridge Biomedical Campus will bring together NHS staff from Addenbrooke’s Hospital and researchers from the University of Cambridge and its Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre under one roof.
Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations are fundraising to secure additional significant donations needed for the hospital, which is presently forecast to cost around £220m.
Professor Richard Gilbertson, research lead for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and head of the University of Cambridge’s Department of Oncology said: “This is an exciting step in our journey to eradicate cancer. The opportunity for clinicians and researchers to collaborate with our industry partners to detect the earliest signs of cancer and deliver personalised treatments is a real game-changer.
“The innovations that will be coming out of this building will have a huge impact, not just here in Cambridge, but across the region, the UK and the world.”
Health Minister, Lord Markham, said: “The approval of the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital’s second stage of its business case and confirmation of its preferred construction partner is a major milestone.
“The proposed new seven-story specialist building will foster collaboration between hospital staff and researchers to help secure ground-breaking discoveries and encourage cutting-edge treatments for patients across the entire region.
“This facility is set to be the first hospital delivered in the East of England as part of our New Hospital Programme and demonstrates our continued commitment to build 40 new hospitals by 2030, backed by an expected £20bn.”
The new hospital aims to be champion in sustainability by being a low-carbon and electric-powered facility, ensuring maximum natural light and access to outdoor spaces, and helping the NHS deliver a net zero health service.
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