New centre will meet growing demand for cancer surgery for people in Surrey and across the South East.
Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust is planning a new Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre with the latest treatments and technology at its Guildford site. The Trust has confirmed today that it plans to invest £25 million into the new centre, with further funding sought through fundraising.
Royal Surrey is a nationally leading specialist cancer centre, with renowned expertise in the use of minimal access surgery and robotics combined with high-quality enhanced recovery peri-operative care. Demand for cancer surgery is growing as earlier cancer diagnosis opens up opportunities for effective surgical treatment of cancers at an earlier stage than has typically been possible in the past. Advances in oncology treatments have also improved the opportunity for effective surgical treatment. The new surgical facility will meet this demand and save lives.
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.
By creating dedicated ‘green’ areas for surgery – areas that are protected from the risks of Covid – the new centre will also put the Trust in a stronger position to continue surgery uninterrupted in future pandemic or crisis scenarios.
The Trust has set aside £25 million in capital investment for the project and is seeking to raise additional funds through fundraising to enhance the design further and ensure the best possible range of new equipment can be procured
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.
“Jeremy Hunt’s support for this project will make a real difference to this project and we’re looking forward to working together on this campaign.”
Jeremy Hunt MP has campaigned to support the Centre and is leading a fundraising campaign for the crucial additional funds. He said:
“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. Work on the centre is expected to begin in 2022.
Royal Surrey is a leading specialist cancer centre integrated with all the services of an acute general hospital, meaning that cancer patients receive the full range of care needed in the one place.
- How to donate: anyone can support this fantastic initiative. You can find out more by visiting: https://www.royalsurreycharity.org.uk/appeal/surgerycancerappeal or by calling the Royal Surrey Charity on 01483 464146.
- Clinical services that will use the new centre include: general surgery, colorectal, hepatobiliary, oesophagogastric, breast, skin, trauma and orthopaedics, urology, gynae-oncology, gynaecology, ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat (ENT), maxillofacial, pain, cardiology and interventional radiology.
https://www.royalsurreycharity.org.uk/appeal/surgerycancerappeal
