Lowen Ward and Trelawny Scanning Suite

A state-of-the-art heamatology/oncology unit with a diagnostic imaging hub, delivering improved patient pathways and new models of care for Cornwall.

The project delivers two new floors of clinical accommodation that benefit both acute inpatient and outpatient pathways. The building interconnects to the existing structure and is a contemporary reinterpretation and addition to the hospital’s preexisting cruciform layout.

A subterranean level provides a cluster of 3 MRI suites, with two being 3T enabled. Nearby there is a new ultrasound imaging suite and existing CT scanners, creating a new diagnostic imaging hub that adds further capability and centrality to the hospital’s strategic imaging hub.

Patient Comfort and Choice

The new cutting edge-multi-sensory MRI suites give patients and relatives greater control of their environment, as patients can now preselect their preferred room ambience and have a film or programme visible from within the scanner. This innovation significantly increases levels of comfort and patient choice and contributes to decreased levels of abortive scans and reduced anesthetic volition, driving new levels of service efficiency and imaging quality.

The first floor provides a 24-bed ward for cancer and blood disorders, with a palliative care and iodine-131 suite. The extension sits sympathetically to the existing accommodation, forming two new courtyards that supply daylight to all patient-facing accommodation, whilst not depriving the existing building.

The second floor is a dedicated plant space providing Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) compliant ventilation systems that cater for the immuno-compromised.

Technical Challenges

To achieve the clinical pathways desired, the building would need to interconnect at multiple levels to the existing structure. This was achieved by tackling a portion of the site with a challenging topography and low ecological value which was previously partially used as a car park.

Specific attention was given to give high levels of acoustic comfort between the MRI suite and the ward accommodation above. Extensive collaboration between acoustic engineers and the MRI provider was necessary.

Across the design and construction process our guiding principle was to create an affordable and technically focused design that prioritised the patient and staff experience through observation, clinical efficiencies, privacy, and flexibility.

Images © BAM