The Big Space Cancer Appeal aims to transform cancer care for thousands of patients.

What is our vision for cancer care?

We have been proudly delivering cancer care for more than 60 years. Every year the staff team care for 5,000 patients and work tirelessly, under immense pressure, ensuring patients receive compassionate care that is truly personalised to their needs.

But the building is nearly 25 years old and is now getting in the way of the needs of modern cancer care – and does not help the team deliver the quality of care they want to provide.

Our vision is to improve cancer care by creating a spacious, modern, welcoming environment for patients and staff, with digital consulting rooms, multidisciplinary clinics and quiet rooms, that are well lit and connected to the therapeutic outside space.

This aligns with the Hospitals Trust’s wider vision of establishing two centres of excellence in each hospital through delivering a range of specialist services.

At Cheltenham, there will be a greater focus on planned care modelled on the outstanding service already provided by the regional cancer centre. At Gloucester, we are establishing specialist services with a greater focus on urgent and emergency care.

This is our opportunity to deliver the next generation of care at our regional cancer centre in Cheltenham.

What is the Big Space Cancer Appeal?

The Big Space Cancer Appeal has been launched to transform cancer care at Cheltenham General Hospital (CGH) through the development of a modern, new state-of-the-art facility that will make a lasting impact on thousands of patients across the region who rely on our specialist services.

It is a fundraising appeal being led by Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity and supported by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

How much money needs to be raised as part of the appeal?

Together we have successfully raised £8.3m, which is almost half of the total £17.5m cost. The Hospitals’ Charity is now appealing to the local community to help raise the remaining £9.2m target as part of a public fundraising campaign.

How will this improve patient care and staff experience?

Every day, our clinical teams meet patients face-to-face, providing treatment and care, and often for challenging conversations. Our teams do this in windowless rooms that don’t have the space for family members to be there for support. The rooms are small and cramped and open out onto a noisy, busy waiting area, with no space to sit, reflect and recover.

The environment in which we care makes an enormous difference: for patients and staff.

The new centre will be a space that can give people hope, a space which hugs you, that makes you feel special and looked after. It will support our patients and staff in the best possible way.

As well as providing warm, bright well-designed spaces for every patient interaction, there will be restful breakout rooms where lunch can be enjoyed, a coffee break or just to sit quietly after a difficult moment.

A more welcoming and less clinical environment will help reduce patient stress and anxiety, which is important when dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. The building will also be designed with healthcare professionals' needs in mind, improving workflow efficiency.

This includes better integration across multi-disciplinary teams and more efficient use of space. Combined these help our teams spend more time focusing on patient care.

These new facilities are over and above what the NHS alone could provide and will enhance the medical expertise and cancer treatment currently provided for patients by the Trust.

Where will the new building be located?

The new building will adjoin East Block Outpatients which runs parallel to Keynsham Road.

How can I learn more about the future vision for cancer care and the Big Space Cancer Appeal?

Following the public launch of the charity appeal the Trust is now in the process of planning a series of communications and engagement activity to help improve understanding and awareness of the programme of work. We will continue to communicate and engage with you regularly throughout this journey and we advise that you continue to visit the Trust's website, Hospitals Charity's website as well as following us on social media.

Public events

We want to hear your views about our exciting vision for cancer care at Cheltenham General Hospital.

The Trust is staging a three-month programme of engagement running from December 2024 to February 2025 when the team will be canvassing your views about plans for cancer care in the county.

If you are a patient, family member or friend of someone impacted by cancer or perhaps you are interested in healthcare provision across the county, we would like to hear your views.

Patient-focused event:

• Thursday 5 December at Sandford Education Centre, Keynsham Road (opposite Cheltenham General Hospital next door to the fire station), from 6pm – 8pm. Come along and meet our Consultant Oncologists and clinical team who’ll be on hand to discuss our plans and hear your views. If possible please book in advance via Eventbrite

Public drop-in:

• Friday 13 December at Sandford Education Centre, Keynsham Road (opposite Cheltenham General Hospital next door to the fire station), from 9:30am – 11:30am. Come along and meet our Consultant Oncologists and clinical team who’ll be on hand to discuss our plans and hear your views.

How can I get involved in the appeal?

You can get involved and help support the Big Space Charity Appeal in a number of ways. For more information visit the Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity website.

Watch the Hospitals Charity's Appeal video