Facilities for cancer services (2nd ed)

This document gives best practice advice on the design and layout of cancer facilities within acute hospitals, primarily chemotherapy and radiotherapy facilities.

Although, it is aimed at new builds, the recommendations should be applied, where possible, when existing facilities are being upgraded.

It describes a chemotherapy unit for the delivery of intravenous and intrathecal chemotherapy, and a radiotherapy unit for the delivery of external beam radiotherapy (teletherapy), as well as facilities for undertaking unsealed source radiotherapy and sealed source radiotherapy (brachytherapy).

It also describes a dedicated out-patients unit (OPU) for cancer patients, although it is acknowledged that some trusts will use a shared out-patients facility.

Reference is made to facilities that are not used exclusively by people with cancer but have a particular relevance.