Mace and Willmott Dixon alliance seals first win on NHS framework

Mace and Willmott Dixon will build a £126m urgent and emergency care centre at University Hospitals Plymouth after the pair’s healthcare alliance secured its first win on the NHS ProCure23 framework. 

MWD Healthcare will begin work next year on the 17,000 sq m facility at Derriford, which will replace the current emergency department. 

The facility will include state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment as well as new interventional radiology theatres and surgical theatres. 

The two contractors were jointly appointed to all three lots of the P23 framework in March and will work together on NHS construction projects under a FAC-1 Framework Alliance Contract. 

“We are delighted the partnership we set out on two years ago has now been awarded its first contract,” said Terry Spraggett, managing director for Mace Construction in the public sector. 

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Neal Stephens, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the West Country, said the firm was “delighted” to be appointed to the project as a “local company with offices in Exeter and Plymouth”. 

Stuart Windsor, future hospital director at University Hospitals Plymouth, said the new facility would “give increased space to care effectively and efficiently” for the growing number of people who need to use urgent care services. 

“Derriford Hospital is the largest specialist teaching hospital in the South West peninsula and the region’s major trauma centre so we’re very pleased to make the announcement today about the appointment of our construction partner and take the next step on this important journey,” he added.