Dyson Cancer Centre
Dyson Cancer Centre
Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK
About the Project
The Dyson Cancer Centre is a major new development at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, bringing together the Trust’s non-surgical cancer services under one roof for the first time. Construction began in 2021, and the centre officially opened to patients in April 2024. Delivered by Kier Construction with architectural design by IBI Group, the three-storey facility forms part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme.
Built on a brownfield site, the centre houses a wide range of services including oncology, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, inpatient and outpatient care, research facilities, and dedicated areas for staff support.. It also accommodates over 60 clinical trials and features therapeutic artworks, quiet rooms, and sculptural elements inspired by its theme of ‘Land, Water and Sky’.
Design Goals
From the outset, the Dyson Cancer Centre was conceived as both a clinical facility and a healing environment, aiming to reduce stress and anxiety for patients and their families. The design prioritises natural light, art, and biophilic elements, while ensuring accessibility, efficiency, and ease of maintenance.
Sustainability was a key focus, with a target of achieving BREEAM Excellent. This influenced material selection, favouring low-impact, PVC-Free products where possible. In high-traffic areas such as corridors and treatment rooms, robust wall protection and handrails were essential to withstand daily use without compromising on design or environmental goals.
Accessibility needs were also carefully considered, including the use of visual contrast in handrails and other features to support patients with visual impairments.
Photography – William Beck
Solution
To support the centre’s design goals and operational needs, Construction Specialties (CS) supplied a tailored wall protection scheme for use across key clinical and circulation areas.
In corridors and treatment rooms, Acrovyn® PVC-Free Sheet in 949 White was installed to a height of 750mm, creating a durable, easy-to-clean surface that resists everyday wear. At mid-wall height, HRB-20N Hand/Crash Rails were fitted to offer additional impact protection and pedestrian support. These were specified in dual-tone finish: white crash rail covers to match the wall protection sheet, and contrasting green handrail covers to aid visual contrast.
Full-height corner protection was installed throughout the facility to safeguard vulnerable external corners. This included SSM-20N guards with continuous aluminium retainers and PVC-Free covers, as well as stick-on PVC models in 30 mm and 50 mm leg sizes, depending on protection requirements. All were specified in white for a discreet appearance.
In inpatient wards and en-suite rooms, bed head protection solutions were used to support hygiene and prevent wall damage from equipment movement.
In addition to wall protection, CS supplied several expansion joint cover systems to accommodate structural building movement in different areas. These included GFPS-200 gasketed floor joint covers, offering a flush finish compatible with vinyl flooring; FWFC-200 gasketed wall joint covers, with recessed frames to allow jointing and taping; and SMN-100 aluminium wall joint covers, powder-coated in RAL 9003 for a seamless and tamper-proof finish.
Together, CS products contributed to the delivery of a practical, well-considered interior that supports both staff and patient needs. The centre went on to achieve its target of a BREEAM Excellent rating, reflecting the success of the broader sustainability strategy.
Photography – William Beck