New Hospital Programme moves towards delivery with 11 partnerships signed

The New Hospital Programme moved towards delivery today (Thursday) with the signing of 11 long-term partnerships between contractors and NHS trusts across England.

The programme will deliver the 11 hospital schemes through a collaborative approach designed to build hospitals more efficiently, using national standards, digital innovation and modern methods of construction. 

Rather than treat each hospital as a standalone project, schemes delivered as part of the Hospital 2.0 Alliance will share expertise and apply consistent standards, with an aim to improve delivery across multiple schemes.

“For too long, the construction of new hospitals has been bogged down by bureaucratic procurement processes, even after full approval and funding was in place, and we’re determined to change that,” said health minister Karin Smyth.

“The changes announced today are a major step forward in streamlining the procurement process. Patients can look forward to new hospitals being delivered quicker, industry can plan with certainty, and taxpayers can be assured that we are getting maximum value for their money.”

Peter Lyons, managing director, Laing O’Rourke, which will be involved in a scheme at Hillingdon Hospital, said he was excited to start work “using the power of our experience in delivering world-class health facilities across the UK”.

“We will use our pioneering construction methods combining digital engineering and offsite manufacturing to deliver this state-of-the-art facility that meets the needs of patients, clinicians and the wider community,” he said.

Stuart Togwell, CEO at Kier Group, which is working on a new Hinchingbrooke Hospital with North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, said his firm’s focus was on “creating a modern healthcare environment that supports exceptional patient care, enhances staff wellbeing and meets the needs of local people for generations to come”.

“Our connection to Hinchingbrooke is longstanding. Through our facilities management work at Hinchingbrooke Treatment Centre since 2005, we have become part of the hospital community and developed a deep understanding of the people, place and services that make it so important to the region,” he said.

“As construction partner, we will combine that local knowledge with the innovation and efficiency of the Hospital 2.0 Alliance.”