Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has formally appointed a contractor to deliver a brand new £30m hospital in Berwick.
Awarding the contract to a local Northumberland-based construction company, the ambitious hospital-building project will aim to transport health care capabilities and patient experiences for those living in the area.
The project was given the green light by Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee back on December 1, 2020 and further funding has now been made available to ensure the building is fit to deliver top quality healthcare, both now and into the future.
Additional funding will also help the project overcome any inflationary costs during completion, as the economic landscape continues to change due to the pandemic.
Work to enable demolition of vacant parts of the current hospital is set to begin later in February, with construction of the new development on the northern end of the site then able to begin in the summer.
Sir James Mackey, Chief Executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to award this contract. As an experienced and well-established construction specialist, with a varied and impressive portfolio, I can assure the people of Berwick that we are confident that we will deliver a state-of-the-art hospital.
“It is fantastic that they are a local company, based in Cramlington.
“For too long, residents have needed a new hospital which is fit to deliver 21st century health care, now and for future generations, and is equipped to embrace the latest technology to provide our patients with the highest quality of care. Our new hospital will also enable closer working with primary care, again improving patient care and experience.
“In these uncertain and difficult times, this is an extremely welcome innovative development, which will also generate 300 jobs per year during construction and support the local economy. I would like to reassure everyone in Berwick that we will keep them regularly updated as this exciting project progresses.”
