New cancer hospital planned for Royal Liverpool University Hospital site

Published: 9-Feb-2015

Laing O'Rourke and BDP appointed to lead £118m tranformation of oncology services


Laing O’Rourke has announced it is working with The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust to drive forward plans for a new cancer hospital on the Royal Liverpool University Hospital site.

The £118m Transforming Cancer Care project will see the development of a new facility in the centre of Liverpool and the redevelopment of the existing Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral.

Plans for the scheme were unanimously approved in December by the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee for Cheshire and Merseyside.

Laing O’Rourke will provide construction and other technical expertise that is vital in developing the outline business case for the project. The company will also work closely with staff, patient representatives and the architects, BDP, to begin the detailed design process.

The agreement with Laing O’Rourke is on a staged basis, which provides flexibility while also ensuring good value for taxpayers. It means the NHS is not tied into an ongoing contract if at any stage the project does not go ahead.

The project is largely being funded by NHS and government sources, with some money also planned to come from a public fundraising appeal.

Andrew Cannell, chief executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said: “We are delighted to be working with Laing O’Rourke on the next phase of this very exciting development, subject to business case approvals. Getting the design right will be one of the most-important factors in its success and the input of our staff and patient representatives working with Laing O’Rourke and the architects will be invaluable in this. We are also committed to maximising the wider community benefits of a project of this scale.”

Tom Higgins, Laing O’Rourke director, added: “This is a very exciting project for us and the confidence The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust has in us is testament to our expertise in the health sector. The immediate priority is to now work closely with the architects and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre staff as well as patient groups to finalise the project’s design.”

Once built, the new hospital will increase capacity and choice by offering radiotherapy at three sites rather than two and expanding The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to meet increasing demand for specialist cancer care.

It is anticipated the building will open in autumn 2018.

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