£250m investment in cancer care confirmed by the Government

The government has officially confirmed a £250 million investment to build a new, state-of-the-art Sussex Cancer Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton

Confirmed on 30 January 2026, the funding secure the future of the regional "Centre of Excellence" as part of the national New Hospital Programme. 

Key Details & Benefits

• Capacity Expansion: The new five-storey facility will more than triple the hospital's clinical space for cancer care, treating over 60,000 patients annually.
• Specialised Facilities: It will feature high-precision radiotherapy, expanded outpatient clinics, and a dedicated Oncology Acute Assessment area to divert cancer patients away from general A&E.
• Patient Environment: Designed with a "healing" focus, the building will include wards with sea views, natural light, and a new landscaped plaza.
• Integrated Research: Clinical research and AI innovation spaces are built into the design to provide faster access to life-saving trials. 

Timeline

• Construction Start: Above-ground works are expected to begin in Summer 2026.
• Opening Date: The centre is scheduled to open for patients in 2029. 

The project replaces outdated Victorian-era facilities and addresses the needs of Sussex, which has the second-largest cancer population in the UK