Client: North East Wales NHS Trust

The Shooting Star cancer treatment unit and women’s clinic was funded by a combination of public appeal and New Opportunities Funding (Lottery) and was opened in December 2003.

The new single storey unit was designed to blend with the existing nucleus hospital whilst creating a distinctive building.  The unit comprises three departments: an oncology day ward, where chemotherapy and blood transfusions are administered; an Outpatients Department and a women’s clinic, which includes mammography, colposcopy and gynaecology.

The three departments have been linked visually by a long, boldly coloured curving wall, which forms the main internal feature of the unit.  A small, landscaped central courtyard allows sunlight / daylight to penetrate the main waiting areas, and natural daylighting is further enhanced by glazed roof lights. 

A number of contemporary artworks, including glass, wrought iron, ceramics and textiles, were incorporated into the scheme to counter the institutional atmosphere sometimes found in hospital buildings.  This has achieved the aim of producing a softer, friendlier environment for both patients and staff.

1. NORTH WALES CANCER TREATMENT CENTRE
2. CATHETERISATION LABORATORY AND CLINICAL SCHOOL
3. ELDERLY REHABILITATION COMMUNITY HOSPITALS
4. Shooting Star