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The spectacular new cancer hospital, which opened in June in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, was a collaboration between The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, its estates subsidiary PropCare, architects BDP, contractor Laing O’Rourke, and infrastructure firm AECOM.

Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool delivers specialist cancer care including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and stem cell transplants for the 2.4m people of Cheshire and Merseyside. It also carries out clinical trials of new cancer treatments and has advanced radiology and a wide range of cancer support services.

The team’s entry was up against tough competition from a pool of strong applications so being shortlisted for the awards is a mark of real achievement. It is particularly rewarding in a year when the value of partnership working has been so important across the healthcare sector, with organisations coming together to provide services despite the challenges of COVID-19.

The HSJ Partnership Awards judging panel comprised a diverse range of highly regarded figures across the NHS and wider healthcare sector. The team that developed Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool have been selected based on their diligence, ambition, and the positive impact that the project has had on both practitioners and patients within the healthcare industry.

Last week the new cancer hospital won the Hospital Building Award in the national Health Business Awards. It was also named Project of the Year in the North West Regional Construction Awards.

Liz Bishop, Chief Executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Every aspect of the new cancer hospital’s design, construction and completion has demonstrated the importance of partnership working so we are delighted it has been shortlisted for this award. We simply could not have created such a fantastic health facility for people in Cheshire & Merseyside without the outstanding expertise and commitment of all the partners on the project, as well as our staff and patients.”

Fiona Jones, Managing Director of Clatterbridge PropCare Services Ltd, said: “Working on a project that is so important for people with cancer in our region is incredibly rewarding. All our partners on the project were equally dedicated and committed to making sure that together we delivered a superb new cancer hospital that will benefit people in Cheshire & Merseyside for generations to come.”

Rory Pollock, health sector leader at Laing O’Rourke, added: “Being shortlisted for this award is testament to the enormous efforts of a collaborative project team of healthcare experts and I am proud that Laing O’Rourke played its part in delivering a major new hospital that will transform cancer care throughout Merseyside.”

Emma Lepley, architect at BDP, said: “This new facility is a beacon for cancer care in Liverpool and the wider region. Its modern, sophisticated design is a clear expression of the cutting-edge research and care taking place within. It provides a comforting and less clinical feeling environment for patients and their families, whilst also enhancing efficiencies for the staff, giving them places to rest and share ideas. We are extremely proud of the building and of the wider project team, and this nomination shows just what can be achieved by committing to collaborative working.”

Richard Mann, Director – UK and Ireland Healthcare and Science Sector Leader, AECOM, said: “This is a huge honour for us and the wider delivery team, demonstrating that through partnership and collaboration this team overcame the challenges of 2020 to deliver a transformational facility for the NHS, its staff and patients on time and budget.”

HSJ editor Alastair McLellan said: “We would like to congratulate the team. We are looking forward to welcoming them to the ceremony in June to join us in recognising the very best collaborations and innovations in the healthcare sector. This year’s finalists are of an outstanding calibre and all of them are exceptionally dedicated to enhancing healthcare across the UK.”

The winners will be selected in June following a rigorous, judging stage ahead of the HSJ Partnership Awards 2021 awards ceremony. The awards evening is expected to be attended by leaders and professionals from both the NHS and private sector as well as figures from non-clinical backgrounds to celebrate innovation and collaboration in healthcare.

The full list of finalists for the 2021 HSJ Partnership awards can be found on https://partnership.hsj.co.uk/finalists-2021