£35m Berwick scheme was being built by Merit which sank nearly a year ago
A North-east health trust has said work to remove M&E and cladding from a half-built hospital will begin next week.
Work on the new £35m Berwick community hospital ground to a halt last November when original contractor Merit collapsed into administration.
In January, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust appointed Robertson Construction as Merit’s replacement.
The trust said it has been working “very closely” with Robertson since on what to do next and this week said remedial work, which will involve removing mechanical and electrical systems and pipework and internal walls and fittings, will begin next Monday.
It added that next month work will start to remove the façade and steel frame system, “which will need to be replaced”, adding that the main structural steel work will remain.
Damon Kent, Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management’s managing director, said the new hospital had to meet “the required standards” and added: “It has been a difficult period as there are complexities around a new contractor taking over the incomplete work of another company.
“Although it has been quiet on site, a huge amount of work has been carried out behind the scenes over the last few months, and we are very pleased to be working with Robertson Construction.
“Our key priority must always be to ensure that our new Berwick hospital meets all the required standards and we want it to be the best it can for our patients, staff and future generations.”
The trust said it would be giving an update on progress in December at a drop-in event for locals with “the majority of work” set to completed by summer 2028.
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