£140m Plymouth hospital expansion approved

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust has secured planning for two major schemes that will see more than £140m invested in the region’s largest acute hospital.The projects involve a new 165,000 sq ft Urgent and Emergency Care Centre at Derriford Hospital on the outskirts of Plymouth and a new £35m health and wellbeing hub in the city centre.The building has been designed by architect Stride Treglown, with civil and structural engineer Clarke Bond and M&E consultant Hoare Lea, to be BREEAM Excellent.Enabling work is due to begin later this year with plans for main construction work to start in 2023. A contractor will be from the ProCure 23 framework.Future Hospital Director, Stuart Windsor said: “Our existing Emergency Department was built at a time when demand was significantly lower, so this major investment in our healthcare estate will allow us to address this fundamental challenge by doubling the amount of space for care delivery.”The city centre West End Health and Wellbeing Centre will bring together a wide range of health professionals.West End Health and Wellbeing CentreAlongside a range of mental, community, outpatient and diagnostic services, the building will contain a community kitchen, café, pharmacy and facilities for use by the voluntary sector.The projects form part of the Future Hospital Programme for healthcare facilities in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall through investment in integrated clinical services, digital assets and estates.