Lancashire-based construction, haulage and property group Carefoot has begun work on a £6.4m new endoscopy unit in the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, Greater Manchester.
Work on site began at the end of January, this year, following planning approval.
In recent weeks, Carefoot also completed a £6.5m new surgery theatre and community diagnostic centre in Leigh Infirmary.
Endoscopy unit at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
The project involves the construction of a four-storey steel frame extension to the hospital’s Grade II listed façade.
In addition, major refurbishment works will be done to the current ground-floor unit, totalling around 1,400 sqm.
Colin Carefoot, Chief Executive, Carefoot, said: “Working on healthcare projects brings unique issues. The project at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan is particularly challenging as the extension is adjacent to three live areas of a very busy hospital."
“However, our team has the experience and knowledge to manage the construction process in a way which minimises the impact on the trust and its patients,” Carefoot concluded.
O Neil and Partners, Bradshaw Gass & Hope, and Pettit Singleton Associates are consultants on the project
The Wigan endoscopy unit was designed by Manchester-based DAY Architectural.
O Neil and Partners, Bradshaw Gass & Hope, and Pettit Singleton Associates are consultants on the project.
The Endoscopy unit at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary is expected to be completed in Summer 2025.
Currently, the second, third and fourth floors of the extension have not been assigned to a department of the hospital.
However, these floors will further increase the hospital’s care capacity in the coming years.
Richard Mundon, Director of Strategy and Planning at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Carefoot to our Wigan site and look forward to continuing to work with the company."
These developments will certainly help to futureproof our facilities
“These developments will certainly help to futureproof our facilities, address the expected increases in population demand and play a significant role in reducing health inequalities across the Wigan borough," Mundon added.
“This can only lead to improved outcomes for our patients across a wide range of services, which is fantastic news for us as a trust, but also the wider community,” Mundon concluded.
New surgery theatre and community diagnostic centre at Leigh Infirmary
The project at Leigh Infirmary involved the construction of a 1,350 sqm hospital extension to house a new elective theatre and community diagnosis centre.
The diagnosis centre is now welcoming its first patients after completion in December 2023.
The new community diagnostic centre has improved Leigh Infirmary’s capacity to deliver medical tests such as X-rays, CT and MRI scans.
The project has been designed by Chorley-based architect Gilling Dod.
Consultants on the project included Steven A Hunt & Associates, Sutcliffe and Rider Hunt.
NHS hospital builds
The two hospital extensions are being delivered for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The new hospital extensions aim to improve diagnosis, reduce waiting times and increase care capacity across the Wigan borough.