North East MSP Douglas Lumsden has called on NHS Grampian to provide answers following a decision that could see a major cancer unit project in Aberdeen delayed by over a year and burdened with significant additional costs.
Mr Lumsden has written to NHS Grampian Chair Alison Evison amid growing concerns that relocating the planned UCAN SURE (Swift Urological Response and Evaluation) Unit to an alternative part of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary could cost the supporting charity as much as £600,000.
Originally scheduled to open in Ward 211 at the hospital, the £2.5 million unit—funded by local cancer charity UCAN in partnership with Friends of Anchor—was designed to dramatically improve diagnosis times for patients with suspected urological cancers. The project was expected to be operational by May 2025.
However, after four years of planning, NHS Grampian has now proposed moving the unit to the hospital’s Yellow Zone. The charity has warned that this relocation could push the opening back to May 2026 and introduce costly challenges, including dealing with asbestos and inadequate ventilation in the new location.
According to UCAN, the change will not only delay the unit's opening by 13 months but also force the charity to contribute an extra £600,000 towards building work and associated services. Additionally, NHS Grampian is expected to face an estimated £75,000 bill for redesign and project management before construction can begin.
Mr Lumsden, who recently met with UCAN Chief Executive Kenny Anderson, expressed deep concern over the situation and its impact on both finances and patient outcomes.
“It is deeply concerning that UCAN appears to have been led to believe for nearly four years that the unit would be housed in Ward 211,” he said in his letter to NHS Grampian.
“I understand that relocating the unit will incur additional costs estimated at £75,000 for new design work and project management. This comes at a time when NHS resources are already stretched thin.
“UCAN has highlighted legitimate concerns about the suitability of the Phase 1 building, including the presence of asbestos and ventilation issues. I would welcome clarification on how these issues will be mitigated without further extending the already lengthy timeline.”
He also emphasised the potential human cost of the delay. “Perhaps most concerning is the human cost of this delay. The SURE Unit would reduce diagnosis time for urological cancers from approximately 12 weeks to as little as two days. This delay means patients across the North East will continue to face extended waits, prolonged anxiety and potentially poorer outcomes due to delayed interventions.”
In a letter shared with Mr Lumsden, UCAN stated it would cap its contribution to the Yellow Zone relocation at £600,000, while NHS Grampian would be expected to meet all additional costs.
Douglas Lumsden MSP is urging NHS Grampian to reconsider its decision and work swiftly to resolve the situation in the best interests of patients and the charitable organisations involved.
