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.   

Alan Joyce, FES Group, Pre Construction Director, said “Under the joint venture between FES Group and Robertson Construction Group, in the form of RMF Health, we have been working our way through a complex programme of new build and refurbishment projects to support NHS Lothian in enhancing their service provision on the Western General campus.

Within the programme of works, we have also been upgrading and installing new elements of key MEP and utility infrastructure to provide distribution of new services to the newly built, newly refurbished and existing Western General assets.

The LINAC project is the next important piece of the strategic reconfiguration of the Western General site. As with all projects under this programme of works, in conjunction with our colleagues at Robertson Construction Central East, we continue to extend our collaboration with the NHS Lothian team into the LINAC project in terms of planning the design and executing the delivery of this excellent facility.  

The LINAC project and other projects contained within this programme of works, continues to exemplify NHS Lothians desire and commitment in the drive towards providing the best possible service and facilities for all who have cause to visit and the equally, the valuable staff who make the facilities function.”

The delivery is taking place in a live environment and is part of Frameworks Scotland 3, a framework managed by Health Facilities Scotland.