Hospital with Raac appoints construction partner
North West Anglia NHS Foundation TrustA hospital being rebuilt after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was found has appointed a construction partner.
Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was one of four in the East of England with the crumbling concrete. Some was identified in its walls and roof, causing ongoing structural issues.
It said it had appointed Kier Group to build a new hospital, which will include single rooms for every inpatient.
Hannah Coffey, chief executive of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said the appointment was a "significant milestone" for the project.
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A consultation, giving people the opportunity to share their thoughts on the plans, is currently open until 16 August.
The hospital has been included in the first wave of the government's New Hospital Programme, with the new site expected to open by the end of 2032.
The new building would be on the southern corner of the existing site, allowing services to continue during the construction process.
Key services, including a full A&E department and maternity care, would remain on site.
Coffey added: "Appointing our construction partner demonstrates that we are making real progress towards delivering a new hospital that will serve future generations.
"We look forward to continuing to work closely with our staff, patients, local communities and partners as we move into the next phase of the programme."
The construction company currently does facilities management work at the hospital's treatment centre.
Stuart Togwell, chief executive of Kier Group, said: "The opportunity to help deliver a new Hinchingbrooke Hospital is both a privilege and a responsibility.
"Working in partnership with North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, our focus will be 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."
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