The Sir Bobby Robson Institute – building a world-leading cancer research facility

Following planning committee approval on 12 December 2025, building work starts early 2026 – next door to the existing Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman – with plans for the new institute to open in 2028.

The three-storey building will bring together the current Sir Bobby Robson Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care and the hospital’s cancer and blood disorders (oncology and haematology) research team, providing much more capacity to increase the number of clinical research studies taking place in Newcastle, using the latest equipment and technology. 

This will allow a 50% increase in activity, over 5 years, meaning Newcastle’s specialist teams can pioneer more ground-breaking innovation in cancer treatment, through conducting a higher number of complex and larger trials. 

While the institute’s catchment area would cover around 3.5million people living in the north east, north Cumbria and north Yorkshire, the work carried out there could benefit cancer patients around the globe.

Construction is being funded by the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity.  With £20million raised so far via generous and much-appreciated contributions, activity is set to ramp up over the next 12 months to raise the final £10million.

Commenting on the impact the institute will have, Dr Ruth Plummer, consultant medical oncologist at Newcastle Hospitals, said:

“Demand for more research into new and innovative cancer treatments is rising, globally and locally. 

“At Newcastle Hospitals we have skilled and experienced teams who are carrying out ground-breaking cancer clinical trials in the Sir Bobby Robson Centre. 

“Over the years, the facility has become increasingly busy, and current space limitations mean our capacity to conduct more trials is becoming restricted, so the team cannot accept some research programmes or requests.

“This new facility would allow us to provide timely access to clinical trials for many more eligible cancer patients, including those who have exhausted all standard treatments. 

“More research trails will inevitably lead to better health outcomes and improve the treatment we are able to provide for cancer patients both now and in the future.”