New Cambridge Cancer Hospital scheme to be looked at as part of Government review

CGI showing seven-storey hospital building.
-Credit: (Image: Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)


The planned Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital has been confirmed as one of more than 20 plans subject to review by the government. The hospital was one of 40 new hospital schemes announced by Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The list of projects from the New Hospitals Programme that will be in the 'scope' of the review was released in a list on Friday, September 20. The review 'aims to consider the options for putting the New Hospital Programme onto a realistic, deliverable and affordable footing'.

This news comes after the Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust confirmed the plans to build the hospital were on track in July, after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a complete reset of the New Hospital Programme. Work at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon, which needs work due to the presence of RAAC, is not in the scope of the review.

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Laying out the scope of the review, a Department for Health and Social Care document said: "Key data will be collated for each of the hospitals falling within the scope of the review, including criteria around clinical outcomes, deliverability, cost and estate condition. Data will be drawn from existing sources where possible. Where the information is not held, or not up to date, further data may be requested from NHS trusts or regional teams.

"The hospitals in scope will be prioritised according to the criteria. The review will look at the possible timelines for delivery for each scheme, along with clinical considerations, risk and cost profiles and present a range of options to be taken forward. Options and recommendations for phasing of the programme will then be established for ministers to consider.

"The recommended options for scope, size and phasing will be supported by confirmation of the optimum approach for delivery, underpinning clinical assumptions and the associated commercial strategy."

In a letter to MPs about the review, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting said: "I will carefully consider the findings of the review to provide a thorough, costed, and realistic timeline for the delivery to ensure we can replace the crumbling hospital estate in England, and ensure staff and patients have access to the facilities they deserve."

Speaking in July - before the scope of the review was confirmed - a spokesperson for the Cambridge University Hospital NHS Trust said: “A programme of pre-constructions works are set to begin this autumn, including the installation of hoardings around the site, ground clearance and archaeological digs. We remain on track to start full construction works next year in 2025. Our current schedule means the hospital is on track to be built by 2030.”

Anthony Browne, former MP for South Cambridgeshire, called on the county's MPs to back the hospital. He said: "It is a kick in the teeth to Cambridge that the government is considering axing the new Cambridge Cancer Research hospital. The previous Government had committed to the funding, and Daniel Zeichner, Lucy Frazer and I went to the ground breaking.

"I fought hard for the funding of this ground-breaking cancer hospital, and met the then health secretary Steve Barclay who told me he was giving the go ahead. The hospital would focus on improving early diagnosis of cancer, and would save thousands of lives across the UK."

The full list of hospital projects in scope for review is as follows:

  • Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital

  • Charing Cross Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital, north-west London

  • Derriford Emergency Care Hospital, Plymouth

  • Eastbourne District General, Conquest Hospital and Bexhill Community Hospital

  • Hampshire Hospitals

  • Hillingdon Hospital, north-west London

  • Kettering General Hospital

  • Leeds General Infirmary

  • Leicester General Hospital Royal Infirmary

  • Milton Keynes Hospital

  • Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton

  • North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple

  • North Manchester General Hospital

  • Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow

  • Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) and Nottingham City Hospital

  • Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading

  • Royal Lancaster Infirmary

  • Royal Preston Hospital

  • Shotley Bridge Community Hospital, Durham

  • Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, Sutton

  • St Mary’s Hospital, north-west London

  • Torbay Hospital

  • Watford General Hospital

  • Whipps Cross University Hospital, north-east London

  • Women and Children’s Hospital, Cornwall