Work on new Cambridge hospital could start in 2027
A construction firm has been appointed to build the new hospital
A new Cambridge Children's Hospital could start to be built in two years' time.
Construction firm Bouygues UK has been appointed by project officials to lead the building work on the site of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
Once built, the hospital aims to bring together mental and physical healthcare with life sciences research, treating mind and body as one to help tackle stigma and speed up diagnoses.
"This is a major milestone for the project," Matt Allen, director of new hospital construction at Cambridge University Hospitals, said.
"We've got designs, we know how the hospital is going to work in terms of how we'll operate, but we don't know how we'll build it, so this next level of detailed design is what our contractor is going to do, get that done, cost it up and put our business case forward."
Bouygues Construction has delivered over 400 healthcare facilities globally, including a major new cancer and surgery centre for the University College London Hospital (UCLH) Grafton Way Building.
The firm also delivered the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory, known as the Ray Dolby Centre, pioneering the future of scientific research and innovation.
Building within next 18 months
Mr Allen hopes construction for the new children's hospital can start within the next 18 months, as long as its full business case is approved by the Government after its outline case was given the go-ahead last August.
The hospital is not expected to be finished until the early 2030s.
"We think that (2027) is viable with the legislation we need to get through, getting approval on higher risk buildings; that's what we need to do before we can construct," Mr Allen said.
"The important thing is how do we get this unique model of care working in a building.
"There's been a lot of time invested in getting the design right, that has been challenging but also rewarding and good to see these plans coming to fruition."
Children, young people, parents and carers have been and will continue to be at the forefront of shaping how Cambridge Children’s Hospital will look, feel and care through the project’s Youth Forum and Young Adult Forum.
This is based on their own lived experiences of attending hospital and using mental health services.
“We are honoured to lead on the construction of this pioneering project which embodies our commitment to innovation, sustainability and building for life," Philippe Bernard, chair and CEO at Bouygues UK, said.
“We look forward to working closely with all partners to bring this groundbreaking vision to life, setting new standards in healthcare for children."
Once complete, the hospital is due to have 124 hospital beds, including 88 physical health and 36 mental health inpatient facilities across 5,000 square metres.
"Physical and mental health care under one roof, it means we can hopefully reduce stigma, look at services more efficiently and look at mind and body together," Vicky Amiss-Smith, lead nurse for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, said.
"They could be sharing different roles and responsibilities across the specialties, and it is a challenge but one we're breaking down.
"I think this is our opportunity in the East of England to be looking at how we're going to do this together."