Plans for a new women’s and children’s unit at Cornwall’s main hospital have taken a step forward.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed BAM as its principal supply chain partner. 

Health Minister Lord Markham said it was “a significant step”.

The proposed building has been designed to bring together the hospital’s maternity services, neo-natal and paediatric care, obstetrics and gynaecology services within one, state-of-the-art facility. 

It would also become the location for the hospital’s new main entrance, transforming the layout of the current site in Truro.

The programme, which has expanded in scope since its early inception, is starting with the demolition of six derelict houses to create the space for a works compound for BAM whilst major enabling and building works for the new hospital are carried out over the next six years. 

Work is also under way to relocate car parking for patients and visitors, another key enabling project in progressing the wider programme.

The new unit is part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme, which is focused on delivering 48 new hospitals across England by 2030. 

A computer generated image of how the new hospital site would look
A computer generated image of how the new hospital site would look (BAM)

However, the programme is mired in controversy with opposotion politicians, health bodies and unions saying lots of the projects are expansions or refurbishments, rather than new hospitals. And there have been questions around whether Cornwall’s new unit will ever be built with delays to the project and rising costs.

Roberta Fuller, programme director for what will be called the Women and Children’s Hospital, and head of hospital reconfiguration at Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, said: “This is a really important partnership for the Royal Cornwall Hospital, and we are pleased to be moving forward with the enabling works projects with support from the New Hospital Programme. 

“Our designs for the new Women and Children’s Hospital are based on meeting the needs of our local community in Cornwall and will transform the hospital site. 

“Bringing services together, along with bigger rooms and better facilities, will improve patient flow and create spaces in which to provide outstanding care long into the future.”

Graham Kingdon, construction director (Western region) of BAM Construct UK, said: “Our goal is to  deliver the new hospital to agreed timescales,  solving  problems as we go through the intelligent use of technology.

“The chance to build something special for so many people brings with it an obligation on us, as a responsible business, to use this opportunity to improve the lives of those around us. 

“BAM will be working not just inside the hospital environment but also with the local communities in Cornwall to do our best to leave a positive community legacy, as well as an outstanding new hospital.”

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive, Steve Williamson said: “Over the last four years, there has been an immense amount of hard work undertaken behind the scenes, not just here at our hospitals, but also with our partners at NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and, more recently, with the New Hospital Programme teams.”

The Women and Children’s Hospital programme is currently at outline business case stage and, having been through an extensive and comprehensive Technical Assurance Review process, was recommended on February 3 to go to the Treasury for next stage approval. 

The outcome of this recommendation is expected in the next few weeks.   

Enabling works will continue into 2024 and 2025, with the provision of a new pathology building and the relocation of cardiac and pharmacy  services. The entire programme is anticipated to complete in 2028.