AFL Architects has been commissioned to design a number of new diagnostic centres across the UK.
The programme for Rutherford Diagnostics has already seen work begin on a five-storey company headquarters in Liverpool.
The project broke ground in early January and is located directly adjacent to the Rutherford Cancer Centre, which is in the later stages of construction.
A number of other centres will then follow across the country.
“We are proud to be Rutherford Diagnostics’ chosen architects to aid them in their journey to become leaders in health and cancer care,” said Sheldon Walsh, healthcare director at AFL Architects.
“The practice was awarded the programme of works contract in 2018 following a competitive tender process and will work with Rutherford Estates as delivery partner across the schemes.
“The spaces we are creating provide a relaxed non-clinical environment that place high-quality patient experiences at their heart.”
As a subsidiary of Proton Partners International, the Rutherford Diagnostics team will be investing in state-of-the-art diagnostic and research facilities that will include spectral CT, 3T MRI, digital PET CT, endoscopy and genomics laboratories.
Partnering with education establishments and NHS trusts, the approach will be collaborative and flexible, aiming to significantly increase diagnostics capacity in the UK.
In tandem with this increased diagnostic provision will be genomics research that will lead to new personalised treatments.
“There is a significant shortfall in diagnostic provision in the UK when compared with our European neighbours and this leads to late-stage diagnosis,” said Dr Steven Powell, chief diagnostic officer at Rutherford Diagnostics.
“By embarking on this project in partnership with AFL Architects and its wider design team, we will be in part addressing that imbalance.
“We look forward to our joint future in designing environments that lead to better health outcomes.”
