Stokes Centre for Urology wins design award for patient wellbeing focus
The Stokes Centre for Urology has won a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Social Impact award in Healthcare 2020, thanks to a design focused on improving the wellbeing and dignity of its prostate and bladder cancer patients.
The RICS award celebrates buildings that have a positive human and social impact and the Stokes Centre was chosen because it delivers world-class treatment in welcoming, attractive surroundings, designed to make patients feel reassured at a difficult time in their lives.
As well as bringing specialist services for diagnosis, treatment and recovery under one roof, the Centre has a calm, relaxed environment with colour schemes inspired by nature, comfort lighting and a welcoming reception area.
Built in 2019, the Stokes Centre was the result of 10 years of tireless fundraising by local cancer charity, the Prostate Project. The charity raised £3million and this was matched by a £3million investment from the Trust.
The Stokes Centre features a state-of-the-art operating theatre for brachytherapy, which uses tiny radioactive seeds to treat prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the UK’s biggest cancer killer of men and is diagnosed in more than 47,000 men every year.
Professor Langley, Professor of Urology at Royal Surrey, said: “We were conscious when planning the centre that we wanted to create a place where patients at a very anxious time in their lives, facing a potential cancer diagnosis, could feel inspired and reassured that when they entered the building they were in a Centre of Excellence.”
He added, “We are absolutely delighted to receive the RICS award celebrating our achievement. The successful teamwork between the Prostate Project and the NHS has set a precedent that is sure to inspire other projects.”
Alf Turner, Chair of the Prostate Project said: “I want to thank the thousands of generous supporters who have helped make this happen, ensuring that Royal Surrey remains a world leader in the care and treatment of prostate cancer.”