Work starts on Liverpool cancer centre

Interserve has broken ground on the £35m Rutherford Cancer Centre in Liverpool’s Paddington Village.

A turf-cutting event was held on Monday at the site, which is a key element of the city’s Knowledge Quarter. The centre will bring the most advanced treatments in cancer care to Liverpool and the region, including high energy proton beam therapy as well as advanced technologies in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, imaging and diagnostics.

Conventional cancer treatments will be available from 2018 and high energy proton beam therapy will be available from 2019. The centre will treat up to 500 patients a year and treatment will be available to medically-insured private patients and self-paying patients.

Mike Moran, chief executive officer of Proton Partners International, said: “As someone born, raised and schooled in Liverpool, I’m genuinely thrilled Proton Partners International will be part of this exciting new chapter in the City’s history, which will put the whole region at the vanguard of innovative cancer treatment.

“There is a growing need for proton beam therapy treatment around the world, as it has been shown to deliver significant results for patients. Its effectiveness at lowering side effects compared with traditional radiation treatment, is transforming the lives of many thousands of cancer patients. The Rutherford Cancer Centre North West will be equipped with the best technology available.”

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said: “Today marks an important phase for Paddington Village and sets the tone for what will be a very busy year for this Mayoral Development Zone. Tenants such as Proton Partners underlines how much this site is attracting interest in the life sciences sector and once complete will further cement Liverpool’s reputation as a world-leading innovation district.”