A new one-stop diagnostic centre for people with symptoms of urological cancers has taken a step closer to reaching its multi-million pound fundraising target.
The Swift Urological Response Evaluation unit, known as SURE for short, will enable more people with suspected urological cancer to be seen quicker, and to have all their scans and diagnostic tests carried out during a single visit to the hospital.
NHS Grampian Charity, the official charity of NHS Grampian, has now joined other charity funders UCAN and Friends of ANCHOR with a donation of £464,000 to support the project. The funding will be used to purchase advanced medical equipment and furniture for the unit, over and above core items provided by the NHS.
The charities have joined forces to raise £3.3M towards the development of this innovative facility, with fundraising work still ongoing. The SURE unit aims to be a centre of excellence which will double current capacity to treat people with prostate, penis, testicular, bladder and kidney cancer.
Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity Lead, says, “Waiting to find out whether your symptoms are cancer or not is scary for patients and their families. The SURE unit will significantly reduce the time patients are waiting, and help them get on the right treatment path quicker.
“This is an exciting and ambitious project, and we are proud to be working with UCAN, Friends of ANCHOR and NHS Grampian to help fund the creation of this unit to benefit patients across the North-east.”
From left, Sarah-Jane Hogg, Chief Executive of Friends of ANCHOR, Kenny Anderson, Chief Executive of UCAN, and Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity Lead pictured within the area the new SURE unit is being developed. Image credit: Friends of ANCHOR
Alan Wilson, NHS Grampian Director of Infrastructure, Sustainability & Support Services, says, “This is an incredibly exciting milestone for the SURE unit which would not have been possible without the vital support of our charity partners, NHS Grampian Charity, UCAN, and Friends of ANCHOR.
“Their contributions will help develop the physical space for the new unit, as well as providing cutting-edge medical equipment and furniture which are beyond core NHS requirements.”
Kenny Anderson, Chief Executive of UCAN, says, “The SURE Unit will be transformational in delivery of care to urological patients and has been built on partnerships between UCAN, NHS Grampian, Friends of ANCHOR, The Suttie Foundation, and many more fundraisers and donors.
“We are delighted that NHS Grampian Charity are able to help in such an effective way to deliver an initiative that will benefit patients from across the North and North-east of Scotland.”
Sarah-Jane Hogg, Chief Executive of Friends of ANCHOR, adds, “It’s brilliant to be another step closer to the SURE Unit opening. It will enable crucial early detection and provide a place for support and holistic care for those individuals who do receive a diagnosis.
“While it’s a shared effort to raise the funds for this one-stop facility, the trailblazing team at UCAN have paved the way for the SURE Unit to become reality.
“In the North-east we’re very fortunate to be surrounded by a generous community of donors who feel as passionate as we do to bring the best for patients.”
The SURE unit is being developed in the Yellow Zone at Aberdeen Royal infirmary. Work began in January 2026, and it is due for completion in June 2026. As well as treating patients from across Grampian, it will also benefit those requiring treatment from Orkney and Shetland.