£6 Million Upgrade and Change of Name for St Luke’s Cancer Centre

Published on: 15 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 15 Oct, 2024

The renowned St Luke’s Cancer Centre, based at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, has had a change of name to the Royal Surrey Cancer Centre. And the new name introduces the completion of a £6million project which more than doubles clinical space and provides better facilities and environment for the more than 8,000 patients receiving treatment and care each year.

Oncology staff pose outside the newly named and upgraded Royal Surrey Cancer Centre

The work, which cancer patients and supporters would have noticed over the last year, provides a new spacious waiting area, a larger café and a centrally located blood tests area. There are also more changing areas and toilets, a dedicated information desk and a conversation suite with a garden and exit for when patients need privacy.

A spokesperson for the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said the work was partly funded by the Royal Surrey Charity and would “bring together cancer care and treatment under a single name that is recognised and trusted both locally here in Guildford and across England”.

A new website, written by the oncology team of renowned experts, will help patients from diagnosis and onwards.

Sophie Otter, chief of service for Oncology said: “When the cancer centre first opened its doors in 1997 we expected to see around 2,500 patients each year.

“Today we are a major cancer centre that serves a population of three million people across the south east of England and this much needed redevelopment will enable us to keep up with the ever increasing demand for our care and treatment.”

John Bennetts, 68, a musician from Midhurst, West Sussex, is in remission after stage four prostate and skin cancer was diagnosed six years ago.

“I am a regular visitor to the Cancer Centre and the difference is amazing,” said the married father-of-one. “The improvements have made a huge psychological difference to me and I am sure many other patients.”