£30 million Sir Bobby Robson Institute approved

A Newcastle-based healthcare project is moving forward.

Construction is set to begin on a £30 million cancer research institute – to be called The Sir Bobby Robson Institute – at Freeman Hospital after formal planning permission was granted. 

The three-storey facility will strengthen the region’s position as a centre for advanced cancer research and clinical trials.

It is being developed by Newcastle Hospitals alongside The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity. 

It will bring together the existing Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre with the hospital’s oncology and haematology research teams under one roof.

Designed to significantly expand research capacity, the new institute will enable a 50 per cent increase in cancer clinical trial activity over the next five years. 

This will allow specialist teams in Newcastle to run more complex and larger-scale trials, supporting innovation in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Professor Ruth Plummer, consultant medical oncologist at Newcastle Hospitals and director of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, said: “Demand for more research into new and innovative cancer treatments is rising, globally and locally.

“At Newcastle Hospitals we have skilled and experienced teams who are already carrying out ground-breaking cancer clinical trials.

“Over the years, we have become increasingly busy and current limitations mean our space to conduct more trials is restricted so, frustratingly, the team cannot accept some research programmes or requests.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve been given permission to build this new facility, which will allow us to provide timely access to clinical trials for many more eligible cancer patients, including those who have exhausted current treatments.

“More research trials will inevitably lead to better health outcomes and improve the treatment we are able to provide for cancer patients both now and in the future.”

The institute will serve a population of around 3.5 million people across the North East, North Cumbria and North Yorkshire, while also contributing to global advances in cancer care.

Funding for the build is being provided by The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. 

Around £20 million has already been raised, with a final £10 million fundraising push now under way.

Teri Bayliss, director at Newcastle Hospitals Charity, added: “This project will be the proud culmination of a phenomenal fundraising effort and, alongside the many cancer patients who will benefit from the scientific advances made by the trials team, we are extremely grateful to all those who are supporting the project.

“We are particularly indebted to those organisations and individuals who have shown leadership support for our fundraising campaign, including the Sir James Knott Trust, NorthStandard and Esh Group.

“We hope that others will join our continued efforts early in the new year when we have a match funding challenge for the next £1 million raised. 

“This project and the leadership behind it is inspired by Sir Bobby’s dream for people in our region to have access to world-class cancer treatment.”

Construction is expected to start in early 2026, with the institute due to open its doors in 2028.

If you are interested in fundraising or donating, please Join Sir Bobby’s “greatest ever team” - Newcastle Hospitals Charity

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