Head of London's NHS visits new Cancer Centre

Anne Rainsberry, Director of NHS England (London), visited the new Cancer Centre at Guy’s on Monday (5 September) for a behind the scenes tour before it opens later this month.

She met patients and staff who have been involved in the development of the new £160 million centre during the visit which was led by Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Speaking after her tour, Anne Rainsberry said: “Cancer is one of the fastest growing challenges for healthcare in London and it really is fantastic to see such a state-of-the-art facility which has been designed with patients every step of the way.

“The Cancer Centre at Guy’s has been designed so that patients can navigate their way through their care pathway in a way that is built around them and their needs, and is sensitive to them at a very, very difficult time.”

Anne Rainsberry met cancer survivor Diana Crawshaw, who chairs the Patient Reference Group for the Cancer Centre at Guy’s, and Sue Hardy, who is a member of the Patient Reference Group for Guy’s Cancer at Queen Mary’s Hospital – this centre is currently under construction.

She also discussed the opportunities and challenges for cancer care in London with Guy’s and St Thomas’ clinicians including Dr Maj Kazmi (Clinical Director, Cancer), Dr Asad Quereshi (Consultant Clinical Oncologist) and Mairead Griffin (Director of Nursing, Cancer).

During the tour, Cancer Centre Project Director Alastair Gourlay (Director of Asset Management, Essentia at Guy’s and St Thomas’) explained how it is designed as a series of ‘Villages’ which help to make the building more human and friendly in scale.

The first outpatients will be welcomed to the new Cancer Centre at Guy’s from Monday 26 September with the first treatment sessions for chemotherapy taking place from Monday 3 October – the phased opening of the building will continue over the next few months.