Hospital expansion reaches new heights with topping-out milestone

The multimillion-pound expansion of Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) has reached a significant construction milestone, as leaders, staff and project partners gathered to celebrate the topping-out of the new four-storey healthcare facilities.

The development - set to transform patient care across the region - includes four new clinical floors, an expanded and modernised Emergency Department (ED) and a number of features designed to improve both patient experience and staff wellbeing.

Key features of the build include a major upgrade to the hospital’s front entrance, providing a safer, more welcoming arrival point for patients, families, and visitors. The expansion also introduces protected ambulance canopies, enabling paramedics to transfer patients directly into the ED in all weather conditions.

Sky gardens, located on the third and fourth floors, will offer calming, therapeutic outdoor spaces for patients, visitors, and staff - bringing natural light and greenery into the centre of clinical areas.

The project, as part of the Hospitals Transformation Programme, remains on track for completion in 2028. After which the 27,000 square metre expansion will become home to acute medical, Women and Children’s, and critical care services.

Having these services based at the same site as the bigger, improved ED, which is also undergoing refurbishment, will mean that quicker decisions can be made about patient care.

Part of the ceremony included the opportunity for colleagues to leave a lasting legacy by placing handprints on a concrete plinth that will be incorporated into the gardens of the new building.

Jo Williams, Group CEO at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) and Andrew Morgan, Group Chair at SaTH, were joined my colleagues Lisa Walker, Quality Matron, and Shirely Wakeley, Information Receptionist at SaTH to set their handprints.

Lisa won the Chief Executive Award at the Trust Awards earlier this year. Shirley retires this week after 30 years working for the NHS, where she has welcomed thousands of patients through the doors of RSH in her role.

Jo said: “This milestone brings us one step closer to providing high quality, sustainable care and fewer delays for everyone.

“It was a real privilege to place my handprints in the concrete today alongside Shirley and Lisa - something that quite literally marks our commitment to the future of our hospitals and the communities we serve.

“Each new clinical floor, the expanded ED, and even the sky gardens we’re creating are all about giving our patients and staff the modern, compassionate environment they deserve. I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved in bringing this vision to life.”

The RSH expansion, which is being led by VINCI Building who are part of the joint venture, Integrated Health Projects. They have worked closely with clinical teams to design spaces that support modern healthcare environments which improve patient care and enhance staff working environments.

Tony Grindrod, VINCI Building’s Regional Director, said: “Today’s topping out marks a significant milestone for our team and for the community. This project will deliver a modern, enhanced Emergency Department that improves patient care and supports the incredible work of healthcare professionals.

“I’m immensely proud of our teams for achieving this milestone and driving forward innovation that will make a real difference to people’s lives.”

As the building moves into the next stage of construction, internal works will focus on fitting out clinical spaces, installing advanced medical equipment, and completing the landscaping surrounding the new entrance.