Media Release
Date: 4 September 2020
Changes at the RUH ahead of preparations for the new Dyson Cancer Centre
Work is beginning very soon to demolish old buildings at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH) to prepare the ground for the new Dyson Cancer Centre.
Brian Johnson, RUH Director of Estates, said: "We're approaching a really significant milestone in our journey towards building the new Dyson Cancer Centre. We'll be clearing away the old Therapies building and many of the empty older buildings on the North of our site, freeing up space so we can start building our new Centre in 2021, ready for patients in 2023."
This will mean some changes for staff, patients and visitors to the RUH site:
From Monday 7 September:
- The small public car park P1b will be permanently closed from 7 September. Patients and visitors are asked to use the main P1 public park and other sign posted public car parks.
- Blue Badge car park P3 will remain open.
From Monday 14 September:
- Patients and visitors will only be able to access Endocrinology and Diabetes from P3. There will be no direct access to other services in Zone A.
- Access to Zone A for Oncology Outpatients, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Day Case and William Budd ward will be via the RUH main entrance.
Brian says "We're sorry for any inconvenience while this work takes place, particularly for those who are used to visiting services on the North of our site. The site will look a little different however there will be clear signposting in place to direct you to your location and extra wheelchairs will be available in the Atrium. We are reminding those who park at P1 to follow the pedestrian route to the main entrance, and not walk along the road."
The new Centre will be located next to the main entrance of the RUH and will bring the majority of the RUH's cancer services, including research teams, under one roof.
Cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support is investing £1.5million to create a new patient support centre, the Macmillan Wellbeing Hub, which will be at the heart of the Dyson Cancer Centre.
Caroline Gilleece, RUH Matron and Cancer Lead Nurse, said: "We are really excited by what the future holds. This will be more than just a building, it will be a therapeutic environment centred on patient care and experience, which will also provide a fantastic place to work, so we can retain our dedicated staff and attract the very best to join us."