A CONTRACTOR has been appointed to design and build the new £35m cancer centre at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary.

National firm GRAHAM has been awarded a £18.3m contract to deliver the scheme.

These images, supplied by the company, show its vision for the new cancer centre.

It will be built on the site of the old tower block building, next to the main hospital, which is currently being demolished.

Once established, it will bring chemotherapy, radiotherapy and cancer support services - which are currently spread out across the infirmary site - under the same roof. It will also house the latest radiotherapy equipment, and have direct links to specialists at Newcastle Hospitals.

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, working with the north east trust, has secured national NHS funding to construct the new cancer centre.

GRAHAM was awarded the contract to design and build it via the Procure22 Framework - which is used to appoint contractors for NHS schemes nationally.

The company has now revealed details of what the centre is likely to look like, and exactly what it will contain.

This includes an18-bay chemotherapy suite, a three-bed bay for day patients, two linear accelerator (LINAC) radiotherapy machines in special bunkers and a CT scanner suite.

The building will also have new consultation and examination rooms, clinical planning and mould rooms and additional space for support staff.

Keith Hayes, healthcare director for GRAHAM, said: “The project to create a new cancer centre at Cumberland Infirmary will play a vital role in improving facilities and services available to clinicians, patients and families across the region.

"It’s a crucial piece of work, and a positive step towards realising the NHS England Specialised Commissioners’ strategy for delivering sustainable models for cancer services in Cumbria.

“GRAHAM enjoys a strong track record of delivery across the healthcare sector and we look forward to working with partners to help realise a project that will have a really positive impact for those who rely on the specialist care services offered at North Cumbria University Hospitals.”

Services delivered in the new facility will include radiotherapy, day-case chemotherapy, clinical trials and outpatient clinics. A supportive therapies unit will also be included, along with office space for oncology staff.

Demolition of the old tower block, which has stood empty for years, is now nearing completion.

GRAHAM said the cancer centre project is currently in the design phase, with work expected to complete in January 2021.