Welcome to our Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital newsletter
Issue 11
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An update from Elaine Chapman, Lead Advisory Nurse for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital
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It’s been an exciting couple of months seeing the groundworks starting on the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital site, opposite the Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre, next to AstraZeneca and Royal Papworth Hospital. It’s been fascinating to learn about the site's history following the archaeological dig, which you can learn more about in the section below.
We have also reached a pivotal point in our programme, following on from completion of the physical design. We are now developing Target Operating Models (TOMs) of care which are looking at how services will be delivered in the building. The intention of this work is to take on the best parts of our current cancer care and to build on this to improve patient care and support greater efficiency.
This crucial work is being undertaken with patients, University researchers and clinical staff, so we can start to see benefits to care and services, even before the move. Some of these improvements include integrating research into all of our cancer pathways and increasing our use of digital and AI technology to detect cancer earlier and treat it more precisely.
I hope you enjoy our summer edition newsletter, and as always, thank you for your continued support for the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital project.
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Preparatory groundworks on the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital site
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Archaeological dig underway ahead of construction
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Preparatory groundworks are taking place on the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital site, on the corner of Keith Day Road and Robinson Way, in a prime location on Europe’s largest biomedical campus, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Excavators have removed 18,000 cubic metres of soil from the raised former staff car park and the team from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) have been uncovering the site’s rich history.
The archaeologists have unearthed evidence - largely pottery and animal remains - from a rural settlement dating back to the Iron Age and Roman period around two thousand years ago. The site was part of a landscape of small farms and enclosure ditches for animals, mainly cattle, as well as countryside homes tasked with producing food for the wider Cambridgeshire area.
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"This is a landscape people have been using and living in for thousands of years, and Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will be the latest chapter of the story."
Watch Chris Wakefield's interview, Archaeologist, Cambridge Archaeological Unit
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Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital has been designed in partnership with cancer patients and staff, who are using their lived experience to help shape the plans and build of the facility. Paul Middleton is a member of the project’s Patient Advisory Group (PAG), helping the team make crucial decisions about how the new hospital will operate and look. After spending a fulfilling career in archaeology, Paul was invited to see the dig in action.
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"The opportunity to give back really is a wonderful privilege."
Watch Paul Middleton's interview, Patient Representative for Cambridge Cancer Resarch Hospital
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The Cambridge Archaeological Unit will now write detailed reports of the archaeological finds, which will be archived, and later made available for research. You can read more about the archaeological dig on our website here.
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The Cambridge perspective launch - a focus on the capsule sponge
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Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, Director of the Early Cancer Institute, shares her experience and determination to help patients with oesophageal cancer in the new thought leadership series from Cambridge University Hospitals: The Cambridge Perspective.
With her understanding of patients’ needs and the research environment, Professor Fitzgerald has been leading research to devise, test, and implement the capsule sponge - a quick, simple, and inexpensive test to detect Barrett’s oesophagus and precancerous cells.
The Cambridge Perspective will feature clinicians, researchers and leaders with the latest healthcare innovations from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust – including colleagues from across the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Europe’s leading life sciences cluster.
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International Nurses Day 2025: Ingela Oberg
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Watch Ingela Oberg's story, Lead Cancer Nurse at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH).
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With years of experience and a deep passion for patient care, Ingela Oberg, Lead Cancer Nurse at Cambridge University Hospitals, offers thoughtful reflections on both the challenges and rewards of nursing. Read her story and find out more about her career in nursing.
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Follow the journey of building Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, with a timeline of key developments and milestones. Support us as we create a hospital that will change the story of cancer forever.
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Patient story: Lisa Noble
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Lisa Noble, a mum-of-five from Bishop Stortford, was one of the first patients to receive CAR-T therapy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, after chemotherapy did not treat her high-grade blood cancer.
CAR-T therapy is a revolutionary and cutting-edge personalised cancer treatment. It’s a type of immunotherapy that works by re-engineering or “supercharging” a patient’s own immune system, training their own immune cells known as ‘T cells’, to fight and destroy the cancer. Addenbrooke’s became the first hospital to offer the specialist therapy for patients in the East of England.
Lisa was in remission and cancer-free within three-months of having CAR-T therapy. After hearing about plans for the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, Lisa says, “Having a specialist unit, in a new dedicated cancer facility, would have made so much difference to me and my experience.” Read Lisa's full story here.
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Latest news from CUH, the University and CRUK Cambridge Centre
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Patients at Addenbrooke’s Hospital will become the first in the UK and Europe to undergo incisionless ultrasound surgery using a cutting-edge ‘histotripsy machine’ as part of their cancer care.
Researchers in Cambridge are calling for additional scans to be added to breast screening for women with very dense breasts, which could detect 3,500 more cancers and save around 700 lives per year.
The discovery by Cambridge researchers could become the most effective treatment to date for patients with early-stage breast cancer.
Planning permission has been granted for a purpose-built cancer support centre near to the planned Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.
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Sat 13 Sept, Ditton Meadows, Cambridge
Join us for a day of fun on the water on the River Cam raising money for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.
As well as the exciting races, a range of food stalls and fun activities guarantee a fabulous day out for all the family. Up to 10 people paddle each 30’ boat, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit!
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- Thurs 25 Sept: CRUK Cambridge Centre's Head and Neck Cancer Symposium.
- Fri 3 Oct: CRUK Cambridge Centre's Experimental Cancer Medicine Demystified.
- Thurs 9 Oct: CRUK Cambridge Centre's Early Cancer Institute Annual Symposium.
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