New Dyson Cancer Centre at the RUH welcomes first patients

The new Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH) NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed its first patients.

The purpose built centre brings together many of the RUH’s cancer services under one roof to provide a cancer services hub for over 500,000 people in the South West.

The Dyson Cancer Centre includes the RUH’s oncology, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, a 22-bed inpatient ward, a dedicated pharmacy, research team and nuclear medicine and physics teams.

The new centre is backed by over £40m in Government funding as part of the New Hospital Programme.

Cara Charles-Barks, RUH Chief Executive said: “This is a major milestone for our community – we know cancer affects many lives and this new centre will help transform the care we provide for the people we care for and their loved ones, as well as providing an exceptional working environment for our dedicated staff.

“Together with patients, staff and those with an interest in cancer services we’ve looked at every aspect of the care we provide and the surroundings we provide it in. We’ve worked to create a place where excellent clinical care is matched by a healing environment.

Ali Underhill, aged 45, from Bath, who is currently using cancer services at the RUH said: “Being diagnosed again at 43 was tough. My cancer can’t be removed by surgery so I’m reliant on systemic drug options to keep the cancer at bay. The oncology department is my literal lifeline and I’m there most weeks as my treatment is quite dose dense.

“The new centre for me represents a fresh new environment to continue my treatment for as long as possible.

The Dyson Cancer Centre was also supported by an additional £10m fundraising campaign from RUHX, the hospital’s official charity, including a £4m donation from the James Dyson Foundation and £1m by the Medlock Charitable Trust.

Find out more at the RUH website: Dyson Cancer Centre