This project was supported by Lexica prior to its acquisition by WSP.

The New Sussex Cancer Centre, led by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSx), is poised to transform health outcomes for the Sussex community. As part of the 3Ts Hospital Redevelopment Programme, this landmark facility brings together cutting-edge clinical spaces and advanced digital technology to deliver outstanding patient care.

UHSx has committed to embedding digital innovation and collaborative partnerships at the heart of its approach. Historically, digital tools and fragmented systems across sites have not been fully optimised – creating an opportunity to enhance service delivery and patient experience.

To address these challenges, UHSx appointed Lexica, member of WSP, as Digital Enterprise Architect to shape a strategy aligned with the Trust’s ambitions. This partnership ensures the vision meets today’s needs, while positioning the Trust at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

Location

  • Brighton, UK

Client

  • University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
The quality of the work was high and [Lexica] presented information in ways that was consumable by non-technical staff but informed by a good understanding of the technical environment and best practice for new builds for health services.

Co-designing for better care

We partnered with clinical and operational teams through co-design workshops focused on four critical pathways: acute toxicity, post-treatment (fear of recurrence), active treatment to best supportive care, and malignant spinal cord compression. These sessions ensured that patient needs and clinical priorities shaped every decision.

Mapping experiences and visualising impact

To capture real experiences, we developed patient personas and journey maps – tools that highlighted emotional touchpoints, summarised current and future states, and identified opportunities for improvement. These insights informed how technology could be better integrated to overcome digital challenges.

We also created a project-specific infographic combining design drawings and accommodation schedules to illustrate the Digital Vision for the new cancer centre. Featuring key functions such as radiotherapy and outpatients, this visual became a powerful communication tool, distilling complex ideas and making the digital agenda clear for all stakeholders.

Meet our Visioneers

Alexie Telan, Senior Consultant of Digital Advisory and Transformation at Lexica (member of WSP), led a multidisciplinary team to shape the Trust’s digital vision. By bringing clinicians, operational leaders, and technical experts together, our experts ensured that every solution was practical, patient-focused, and aligned with future-ready healthcare goals.

Our outputs supported the digital section of the New Sussex Cancer Centre business case and will influence UHSx’s future digital roadmap. By keeping patients at the centre, this work sets the stage for a digitally enhanced healthcare environment alongside a state-of-the-art facility, improving experiences for staff and patients across Sussex. This project shows how structured, collaborative engagement strengthens design and maximises the potential of new healthcare facilities.

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