Dutch construction company BAM, together with the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT), has opened the Trelawny Scanning Suite and Haematology & Oncology Ward at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, UK.

The project involved building an extension to the site's existing Trelawny Wing.

The Trelawny Scanning Suite comprises four ultrasound rooms, two MRI scanners and in-bed waiting areas, as well as outpatient areas, an observation area and a 'generous' anaesthetic room.

The reception area supports the existing, adjoining CT scanning department located next door.

BAM said the new haematology and oncology ward at RCHT, Lowen Ward, has 24 beds. It specialises in caring for haematology, oncology and palliative patients.

BAM construction director Graham Kingdon said: “We are very proud to have delivered this important suite expansion for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and for the people of Cornwall.

“More than 1,500 people have been involved in the construction; at the peak of the build, we had 130 people on site.

"We are very proud that 80% of our workforce came from Cornwall and Devon, 40% of whom live within a 25-mile radius of the site.”

The Lowen unit features a day assessment area to allow some patients using the 24-hour oncology care hotline to bypass the emergency department.

This is intended to enable earlier discharge from the ward with ongoing ambulatory care.

The unit's palliative care suite has its own private courtyard garden and is designed to provide a relaxing space.

The Lowen unit also has a dedicated molecular radiotherapy suite, which aims to provide a calming environment for cancer patients who require specialist, isolated treatment.

RCHT consultant haematologist and project clinical lead Bryson Pottinger said: “I believe we now have one of the best cancer facilities in the country and we hope it will also become a magnet for more clinical staff wishing to work with us here in Cornwall.”