Work begins on new linear accelerator treatment facility at Western General Hospital

Work has begun on a new linear accelerator (LINAC) treatment facility at NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital (WGH) in Edinburgh, designed by HLM Architects and being delivered by RMF Health (a consortium of Robertson Construction and FES).The two-storey, state-of-the-art centre is part of an Oncology Enabling Works programme that will retain capacity for Oncology Services at the Western General site until a new purpose-built Edinburgh Cancer Centre is delivered. It features new radiation shielded bunkers, a cancer assessment unit and oncology administration offices.The project is challenging as it is being delivered in a live hospital environment and physically links to the existing Radiotherapy Department, to enable inpatients to be transferred between areas. The specialist design ensures the project can be delivered without disruption to any of NHS Lothian’s clinical services on the site, retaining ambulance access to the adjacent departments and buildings. This is being done through close liaison with key stakeholders to ensure the works are properly planned and phased to integrate with infrastructure works and other building works that are being run concurrently. One of the key design features is to remove the clinical feel of the building as much as possible while still providing a compliant healthcare facility. This helps to reduce patient anxiety while being cared for or receiving treatment within the service. The LINAC treatment rooms include a ceiling grid resembling a bright sky with trees overhead that encourages patients to mentally remove themselves during treatment. The rooms are designed with calming colours and timber accents, as well as warm tones to provide as much comfort and tranquillity as possible.The end result will feature bright, light spaces undercut by warm, natural tones and lively colours to add a human touch. Biophilia is also a prominent feature, incorporating symbolic references to patterns, textures and colours commonly found in nature.Staff spaces have been designed to be bright and bold to contrast with the clinical spaces, including softer more tactile spaces to support mental health and provide a break from the clinical environment.The new facility is being delivered by Robertson Construction on behalf of RMF Health through Frameworks Scotland 3, a framework managed by Health Facilities Scotland.