A pioneering new facility is under construction and will speed up the translation of world-leading research into breakthroughs in cancer treatment and care.
The Oak Cancer Centre (OCC) in Sutton will transform the lives of cancer patients, not only at The Royal Marsden, but also far beyond.
Enhancing research capacity
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s £70 million fundraising appeal has made the creation and establishment of the state-of-the-art facility possible.
According to The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust: “The Kuok Group Foundation Research Centre will enhance the clinical research capacity of The Royal Marsden by bringing together 400 researchers currently dispersed across the site.”
At the site, breakout spaces have been included to urge researchers specialising in different cancer types to share ideas and innovation, which will then assist in speeding up the development of new treatments.
Diagnosing cancer quicker
The three-storey building will also include the Charles Wolfson Rapid Diagnostic Centre, expanding the Royal Marsden’s early diagnosis service.
Cutting-edge technology will be used in the Centre in order to diagnose cancer sooner and quicker for more people. This will help save lives by catching the condition earlier, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
Designed for patients
A Day Care Unit at the OCC will provide patients with “peace and quiet” whilst they receive chemotherapy. On the same floor, patients at the new Outpatient Department can have blood tests, see their consultant and collect a prescription.
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust added: “The OCC will also house a suite of rooms designed for remote consultations, so that patients can avoid unnecessary trips to hospital.”
Sustainability
One of the main aspects considered when designing the OCC has been sustainability.
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust explained: “The building has been specially designed to comply with BREEAM’s sustainability certification model – from the initial project design and the materials used, to the construction process itself.”
You can find out more about The Oak Cancer Centre and supporting The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity here.
