Official groundbreaking ceremony marks latest milestone in delivery of Sussex Cancer Centre

During the event, a ceremonial foundation stone was laid by local resident, cancer patient and charity volunteer, Mr Bill Shay (71), in front of an audience of more than 200 people, including construction workers, project leads, cancer staff, patients, local residents, politicians and partners. Mr Shay has lived with an incurable cancer for more than a decade thanks to an innovative treatment plan provided by consultant oncologist and clinical lead for cancer at University Hospitals Sussex Dr Sarah Westwell.

Speaking about the new Sussex Cancer Centre, Dr Westwell said: “The new Sussex Cancer Centre is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way we look after people with cancer from across the county.

 

“It is so exciting, because it’s so important for so many people. We will be able to see more patients more quickly, offer a wider range of treatments locally, develop research and new treatments, and welcome our patients to a lovely building designed with them in mind. We can barely wait.”

Appointed by the Trust to provide project management and cost management services, McBains is playing a central role in delivering the state-of-the-art centre, which will significantly expand cancer care capacity across Sussex. 

Once complete, the five-storey Sussex Cancer Centre will serve a local population of nearly two million people across Sussex and more than triple the hospital’s existing clinical space dedicated to cancer services and integrating cutting-edge treatment, diagnostics and research facilities.

Natalie Forrest, Chief Programme Officer, New Hospital Programme, said: “As a nurse, I know how much the environment shapes both patient experience and the care teams can provide. It’s fantastic to see these milestones in Sussex, where investment through the New Hospital Programme is becoming real, visible change."

Located on the site of the former Barry Building, the new facility forms the second phase of the Trust’s flagship 3Ts (Teaching, Trauma and Tertiary Care) redevelopment programme, following the successful completion of the Louisa Martindale Building in 2023. 

The purpose-built cancer centre will bring together a comprehensive range of services under one roof, including:

• High-precision radiotherapy facilities
• Expanded outpatient clinics and dedicated assessment areas
• A specialist day unit and inpatient wards
• Integrated research and innovation space to support clinical trials

Designed to create a modern, healing environment, the building will prioritise patient wellbeing through natural light, improved privacy and access to landscaped outdoor spaces, including a new public plaza linking it with the wider hospital campus. 

McBains Associate Director Hemant Sharma commented: “Breaking ground on the Sussex Cancer Centre is a proud moment for everyone involved. This facility will make a real and lasting difference for patients and their families, delivering increased capacity, advanced technology and a truly integrated approach to treatment and research.”

McBains’ appointment builds on its longstanding relationship with University Hospitals Sussex, having previously delivered project and cost management services for the Louisa Martindale Building and earlier enabling works for the cancer centre site.