The University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with Darwin Group, has announced the commencement of major construction work to deliver a new healthcare building at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital in the UK.
The hospital building, being developed with an investment of £91m ($118.5m), is set to enhance patient ward capacity in the region.
The 10,800m² modular construction is being undertaken by Darwin Group, a specialist in offsite healthcare construction.
It is seen as a transformative opportunity for Bournemouth and the surrounding communities, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust said.
The new building will add new wards across four levels and increase the hospital’s capacity to 110 beds.
Each floor will be equipped with a wide range of patient facilities along with improved amenities for staff, including showering, changing, and rest areas.
Designed to match the height of the nearly completed BEACH building, the new structure will incorporate a photovoltaic system to support the hospital's zero-carbon goals.
Additionally, the ground floor will feature extensive catering facilities, enhancing the quality and variety of food options available.
Darwin Group CEO Richard Pierce said: “We are incredibly proud to be working alongside our NHS partners to deliver this major project for the people of Dorset. The site will improve healthcare and outcomes for the local community for many years to come.
“With the demand for healthcare services higher than ever, the new unit will be able to extend and expand services for the local community while also providing employment opportunities for local people ranging from medical staff to support staff.”
Projected to be completed by winter 2025, the construction is part of a broader £500m transformation programme across University Hospital Dorset's sites.
It also aligns with the UK government's New Hospitals Programme, which aims to construct 40 new hospitals by 2030 and has secured £3.7bn in capital funding until March 2025, with additional funding anticipated for the subsequent five years.
University Hospitals Dorset Medical Care Group medical director Dr Robin O’Gorman said: “Patients will benefit from new ward spaces, with the majority being single rooms. Staff will also benefit from having a great place to work within.”
