We’re proud to have played a key role in a groundbreaking project at the Royal Free Hospital, where cancer patients are now benefiting from the first PET CT Biograph Vision Quadra scanner in the UK. Developed by Siemens, this state-of-the-art PET CT scanner is transforming how patients receive diagnoses and treatment, offering a new level of precision and speed.
Commissioned by Royal Free London Property Services (RFLPS) on behalf of the Royal Free London (RFL), the project is part of the hospital’s broader strategy to enhance cancer care services. The £8 million scanner, funded by the Royal Free Charity, is 11 times more sensitive than previous models and allows full-body scans to be completed in a fraction of the usual time. This means that patients are exposed to half the radiation and can receive a diagnosis much faster, ensuring that life-saving treatments begin as soon as possible.
A Critical Milestone in Cancer Care
The installation of this revolutionary scanner supports the Royal Free’s 23/24 Capital Programme and Business Objectives for Cancer Care, an important pillar in the Trust’s clinical strategy. As one of the NHS’s busiest cancer care centres, receiving around 50,000 referrals each year, the new PET CT scanner marks a significant step forward. Not only will it speed up diagnoses for cancer patients, but it also opens new avenues for research into other diseases such as inflammatory conditions.
Project Overview
This complex project was expertly managed, involving a wide range of partners. Integrated Health Partners (IHP)were appointed as the principal supply chain partner, with Siemens, Ansell and Bailey (architects), Richard Stephens Partnership (mechanical and electrical engineers), and Wareham Associates (structural engineers) contributing to the success of the installation.
The enabling works included the construction of a scanner room, control room, equipment room, drawing up room, consent room, and specialist “hot toilets” to meet Environment Agency regulations. Working within a live hospital environment posed unique challenges, as the site was located next to an operational PET CT and Gamma Camera suite, as well as the highly regulated Radio Pharmacy Laboratory.
Meticulous Planning and Precision Engineering
The project required extensive planning and precise execution to meet the stringent operational and safety standards of the hospital. A significant part of this involved 19 mechanical and electrical services diversions, which had to be isolated and reinstated outside of clinical hours to avoid disrupting patient care.
To ensure radiation safety, the walls, floors, and ceilings of the new scanner room were lined with lead, ranging from 3mm to 22mm thick. One of the walls alone weighed nearly five tonnes. Additionally, the PET scanner itself, weighing in at almost six tonnes, required substantial structural reinforcement of the floor.
Despite the complexity of the demolition and construction works, which were conducted in close proximity to active medical services, the team’s use of specialist dust management techniques and strict cleanliness measures kept everything running smoothly without compromising patient safety.
A UK First
The PET CT Biograph Vision Quadra was successfully delivered on 26th January 2024, marking a major milestone for cancer care in the UK. All of us at Ansell and Bailey are immensely proud to have been part of this pioneering project, contributing to the future of healthcare by helping to create a state-of-the-art facility that will benefit countless patients.
We’re also excited to announce that the PET CT project has been shortlisted for the IHEEM Awards, a prestigious recognition in the healthcare engineering and estate management field, and currently entered for Building Better Healthcare Awards.’