A Patient Reference Group was established to work alongside clinicians and managers to develop the plans for a new cancer centre at the hospital, which will open its doors to the public in 2016. This group was set up to ensure that patients’ voices were heard and members were involved in the shortlisting and appointment of the architecture and construction firms, as well as being active participants in the development of the design for the building. 

A new Cancer Centre at Guy's Hospital will open in 2016. One of the key tenets driving the development of cancer services there is to be patient-centred. Establishing patient involvement in the development of the centre was considered core to the project. 

A Patient Reference Group was established In February 2010 to work alongside clinicians and managers to develop the plans for the Cancer Centre. 

The Patient Reference Group was set up to ensure that patients’ voices were heard and duly incorporated into the design of the building. 

Patients were active participants in meeting with prospective architect firms. At one meeting, a patient mentioned how demoralising it is to return to a basement each time for radiotherapy. As a result, the winning architecture firm placed radiotherapy on the second floor – the first such design in Europe. 

Patients also participate in regular ‘Challenge Sessions’, meetings in which staff report back on the progress they are making in their plans and preparations for the Cancer Centre. 

Patients were recruited to the group in a variety of ways: through posters and fliers in clinics, and through clinical colleagues talking with interested patients. 

The team is constantly working towards having a diverse group, representative of as many experiences, nationalities, tumour groups, ages, personal circumstances and abilities as possible. One of the members of the group uses a wheelchair and her experience of navigating the buildings to get to the meetings provided practical insights. 

The structure and governance of the allowed it to work closely with clinicians and other staff members. Architects, representatives from the construction company, health planners and catering suppliers all attended group meetings. Patients welcomed the input from the professionals and the staff appreciated patients’ insights. 

Directors and senior members of staff immediately supported the creation of the group, helping to overcome any administrative or internal challenges. 

Some members of the Patient Reference Group have been involved for the project’s entire four years, and look forward to volunteer their services when the building is open. 

At times group members were not well enough to attend the meetings. The team worked to keep them up to date with information, while helping with transport to and from the meetings. Patients passed away whilst part of the reference group, and steps were taken to deal with this sensitively and respectfully. 

The group is run in a very people-centred way: it is chaired by a patient, who helps develop the agenda, and the timings of meetings are determined by the patients. 

The patient reference group for the Cancer Centre is part of the ongoing work to make cancer services even more patient-centred. In 2012 Guy’s & St Thomas was one of the 10 most improved Trusts in terms of patient experience, according to the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey. 

A film that was recently made to highlight the development of the Cancer Centre has three contributors involved in the development: the lead estates project manager, the lead clinician and the chair of the group. 

Within the organisation skills in making patient involvement a practical reality are developing and having a significant impact on services.