Countdown on for handover of £15.1m theatre and ward development at RJAH

Hospital chiefs will take possession of the building from developers Kier on Monday 13 June. Up to two weeks will then be spent on transferring the first wave of staff into the development – with the first patient expected to be wheeled into the new operating theatres before the start of July.

Meanwhile, developers will then start the final phase of the building work, which will involve creating a second link bridge between the development and the main hospital.

The final building will include four new clean air Theatres, a High Dependency Unit, an Admission on Day of Surgery Unit, a 10-bedded ward and a Tumour Outpatients Department.

Beverley Tabernacle, Director of Nursing, said: “We are excited about the opportunities this development will give us. We have been planning for this for some time in order to ensure a smooth and successful transition for staff and patients alike.

“The big day is now looming large and we are excited to get in the building and start kitting it out.

“The first patients will be in by the end of June and I am sure they will be impressed by their surroundings, which will only help us to deliver even higher standards of care.”

The completed building will be fully operational, on time and within budget, by the end of September.

The final phase of work involves the removal of the old High Dependency Unit and a redundant theatre that is being replaced in the new building. That work will have wider benefits for a neighbouring ward as well.

Trevor Chadd, Associate Director of Estates and Facilities, added: “The HDU and Theatre have had an impact on Clwyd Ward because of their close proximity.

“Removing them will let natural light back into the ward, while patients will also benefit from views of newly-landscaped gardens.

“This has been a complex project and we are grateful to Kier for delivering us a high quality building on time and in budget. Patients will feel the benefits for years to come.”