Our £17.5m Big Space Cancer Appeal launches to transform cancer care in Gloucestershire

Today we have launched The Big Space Cancer Appeal, working alongside the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to make this innovative facility a reality.

The Trust is a designated Regional Cancer Centre and has provided specialist cancer care for people in our community for more than 60 years supporting hundreds of thousands of local people to receive the best care there is to offer. Many of the current facilities are over 25 years old and a new modern building is needed to care for future generations.

The first phase of the project is to build a new space at Cheltenham General Hospital to improve the environment inside and out for patients and staff. There will be modern consulting rooms complete with new digital technology, space for innovation and research trials as well as a new therapeutic garden. Existing facilities in the current Oncology Centre will also be upgraded as part of the second phase of the project.

Consultant Oncologist at Gloucestershire Hospitals, Dr Sam Guglani, said: “I am incredibly proud to be part of a clinical team that works hard to prioritise patient care alongside excellent treatment, in our cancer centre that serves around a million people. But the environment we’re working in is challenging – poorly lit, cramped and perhaps unwelcoming. We ought to be consulting with patients - important and difficult conversations around results, treatment, research, and support - in spaces that feel safe, unhurried, trustworthy, and calm.”

“Our vision for this new building is that patient experience comes first, at every step, and that those we care for feel welcome and well met for these vital conversations, decisions, and treatments. Further to this, good care is multidisciplinary, and our new centre will allow space for wider consultations with rehabilitative and supportive services, nurse specialists, dieticians, psychologists and palliative care teams.”

“We have been working towards this vision for many years and are excited and grateful to see it being realised.”

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Kevin McNamara said: “This important new investment in Cheltenham General Hospital is part of our vision to deliver the best care and experience for people in Gloucestershire. The new facility will greatly improve the experience for local cancer patients and enhance the work of our dedicated cancer team.

“Our patients and the wider community will be involved as the project develops, and we are so grateful to Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity and everyone in the community who so kindly supports this appeal.”

Almost £8.5m has already been raised towards the project thanks to donations from individuals and businesses as well as NHS funding. Now, we are asking to come together to help raise the remaining £9m needed to fund both the new build and transformation of existing facilities.