- Bourn Hall fertility clinic to build first new full-service facility in Wickford, Essex
- Building developed in partnership with The Healthcare Property Company
- AW Hardy appointed to construct building
- Architects brp have designed the facility
- More clinics now expected to be built across the country
Bourn Hall is celebrating the fourth birthday of its satellite clinic in Wickford with news that work has begun on a larger centre which will bring a host of new treatments to patients.
The diggers have now moved in for the first phase of the construction of the IVF clinic, which will be completed early next year.
Bourn Hall’s regional clinic manager, Sarah Pallett, said: “We are delighted with the success rates in Wickford. Over 100 babies have been born so far, with another 50 on the way.
“The existing clinic has proved to be very popular with patients, so it seemed a logical step to locate a full-service clinic in the town. The additional space will allow us to offer a wider range of fertility treatments to more people.”
Gemma Kerr, mother of Matthew, one of the first Wickford babies to be born, added:
“I was nervous on the day when the embryo was implanted, so it would have been nice to have it done in Wickford, where we had all of our other appointments, and which had become so familiar to us. We had got to know the receptionist, and we even sat in the same seats each time we visited!"
The new purpose-built centre will offer fertility health and wellbeing checks to quickly identify the cause of infertility as well as a range of treatments.
The Clinic will open next year
If IVF is required the clinic will have its own state-of-the-art embryology laboratory so all treatment can take place on site.
Pallet said: “Wickford is the ideal place for us to offer the full range of fertility services as it easily accessible to people from South Hertfordshire and North London, as well as Essex, removing the need to travel into London. We look forward to seeing the building take shape over the coming months.”
The centre is to be located in London Road and will have capacity for 1,000 IVF cycles a year.
It is the first time that Bourn Hall has commissioned a new build and it is anticipated that it will form a blueprint for further clinics.
The project is being management by The Healthcare Property Company, also based in Essex, and the building work will be carried out by Southend-on-Sea construction company, AW Hardy. Architects brp have designed the clinic.
Managing director of The Healthcare Property Company, Paul Stacey, said: “We have worked very closely with an experienced, innovative team of design and construction specialists to develop a high-spec facility which meets the exacting requirements of Bourn Hall – from the intricate workings of the clean rooms, to the structural elements designed to reduce vibration.”
Spokesman for brp added: “Although the chosen site has not been without its challenges, the finished building promises to be rewarding, both architecturally and for all those who will use it.
“As a collaborative project between Bourn Hall Clinic and The Healthcare Property Company Limited, the ‘breaking of ground’ marks a milestone moment for the project, as well as signifying the efforts and hard work by everyone involved with the project up to this stage."