Cambridge Cancer Hospital boss 'grateful' government recognises their potential
Sarah Burge, Director of Clinical Integration at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre is celebrating the government's confirmation of funding for new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital
Sarah Burge, Director of Clinical Integration at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, expressed her excitement and gratitude after the UK government confirmed the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will begin construction as part of wave one of the New Hospitals Programme. The announcement, made by Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Monday in the House of Commons, has been hailed as a major step forward for cancer care in the region.
"We are absolutely thrilled with the confirmation that the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is going ahead," Burge said. "This new building will allow us to bring together our outstanding clinical care teams and groundbreaking research in facilities that are fit for purpose, and we are eager to see how it will directly benefit patients across the East of England."
The hospital, which is set to open in 2029, is part of a wider government plan to modernise hospital facilities, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026. Burge is particularly excited about the integration of clinical care and research, with the hospital offering a unique combination of NHS clinical space and three state-of-the-art research institutes. "We know that research saves lives, and this project has been co-produced with patients from the outset to ensure it meets their needs," Burge explained. "We are confident that this hospital will transform cancer treatment and outcomes for many."
The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will be located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Europe’s largest biomedical hub, next to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, AstraZeneca, and Royal Papworth Hospital. The hospital will be seven stories tall and will be at the forefront of personalised cancer treatment. "We’re particularly excited about using genomic research to tailor cancer treatment," Burge said, citing the personalised breast cancer project as an example of how new technologies will be integrated into patient care.
The hospital’s development is moving ahead swiftly, with pre-construction works set to begin next month. These early preparations will include the installation of hoardings around the site, ground clearance work, and an archaeological dig. The full construction process is expected to be completed by 2030.
Cambridge MPs Daniel Zeichner and Pippa Heylings also expressed their delight over the announcement. Zeichner described the news as a "fantastic day for Cambridge," while Heylings emphasised the hospital’s potential to "transform the outcomes for millions of people" and praised the Labour government for pushing the project forward after a period of uncertainty.
The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is part of a wider wave of hospital redevelopment projects across the country, which also includes the Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon. This aligns with the government's New Hospital Programme, which aims to improve healthcare infrastructure across the UK by 2030.
Burge shared her confidence that, despite the usual challenges of a large-scale project, the hospital will be ready for its 2029 opening. "The Cambridge Biomedical Campus is no stranger to rapid development, and with the expertise from both the university and the NHS, we are confident this project will stay on track," she said.
Once complete, the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will be a vital resource for cancer patients, integrating cutting-edge research and state-of-the-art treatments to ensure that patients benefit from the latest advances in cancer care. "We are incredibly excited for what the future holds," Burge concluded, "and we’re proud that the hospital will be part of this groundbreaking work in cancer care."