Sussex Cancer Centre

As part of the Department of Health’s New Hospital Programme, we are delivering a state-of-the-art cancer treatment centre for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust.

Located adjacent to the Louisa Martindale Building in Brighton, completed by Laing O’Rourke in 2013, the new five-storey facility will bring advanced cancer treatments, leading-edge technology and modern clinical practice together under one roof, transforming cancer care for communities across Sussex.

This project is part of the wider redevelopment of Brighton 3Ts, through which we are delivering 80 technically complex and varied work packages at the live Royal Sussex County Hospital in three stages. This includes upgrading facilities and increasing capacity for more than 40 wards.

Stage 2 includes the new and expanded Sussex Cancer Centre that specialises in acute cancer care, providing additional specialist inpatient beds, more spaces for chemotherapy and more linear accelerators for radiotherapy.

We have worked in partnership with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust employees to ensure the design and layout improve staff and patient experiences. There will be accessible roof gardens providing a dedicated and private rehabilitation area for cancer patients to enhance patient recovery while maintaining privacy and dignity. The building will have its entrance on Eastern Road, an ambulance drop-off and collection point at the rear and direct access to the new underground car park.

By utilising our integrated supply chain and offsite manufacturing, we are providing the Trust with greater certainty over quality, programme, and safety.

Minimising disruption to the live hospital during construction

There was a risk that the new building would interfere with existing buildings’ structural stability and operations. We implemented a process using the digital model and laser scanning the existing facilities to ensure spatial fit. This enabled the design and construction methodologies to be developed suitably to minimise disruption.

Constrained site adjacent to a live hospital and a busy road

The project was complicated by the constrained, tight site, bounded by operational live hospitals and a busy main road (including Blue Light route) with high public footfall. We used our delivery management system DataScope to help coordinate the complex logistic activities to ensure an undisruptive approach.

Demolition adjacent to a live hospital

The scope of works included the structural demolition and clearance of the existing Sussex Cancer Centre, adjacent to the now-live Louisa Martindale Building and a busy main road. We completed works without incident or disruption, ensuring minimal noise, dust, and vibration.

Complex logistics

Deliveries are made in packages to suit the erection sequence and for other deliveries, we operate a just-in-time approach. We have used 3D modelling and digital prototyping to help identify problems before they occur. Vehicle and pedestrian movements within the 3Ts site boundaries are along clearly defined and segregated routes, both within the structure and external areas.