GRAHAM-BAM Healthcare Partnership has been awarded the contract to deliver a new state-of-the-art Children’s Hospital at the Royal Victoria Hospital site in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The announcement follows confirmation from Health Minister for Northern Ireland, Mike Nesbitt, that the project has received formal approval and construction began in February.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “This is excellent news for children and parents across Northern Ireland, and for our dedicated health and social care professionals who deliver outstanding care to children and young people.
“Patients and staff deserve the very best facilities that we can provide, and the new Children’s Hospital will be truly world class, a healthcare facility that we can all be proud of.
“While we celebrate the go-ahead for this prestigious new facility, it’s important to acknowledge that, in common with major children’s hospital developments in Scotland and RoI, this project has had a difficult history with significant delays and cost increases.
“I tasked Departmental officials to identify the key lessons from the new Maternity Hospital project and ensure that they were applied ahead of the contract signing for the new Children's Hospital. It is essential that a range of improvements are secured to the management of this project.”
The construction works are valued at £389 million
With a five-year construction timetable, the new hospital is projected to be opened by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust at the beginning of the next decade.
The 10-storey, 52,000 m² facility will provide:
- 155 beds, with 80% of the beds in single private ensuite rooms
- 11 theatres
- An emergency department
- Imaging suite
- Full outpatient department designed to treat up to 45,000 children annually.
- Dedicated parent facilities
- Social spaces
- Staff areas
With a five-year construction timetable, the new hospital is projected to be opened by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust at the beginning of the next decade
Jonathan Hall, Managing Director at GRAHAM, said: “This project is a major step forward for healthcare in Northern Ireland, and we are honoured to be delivering such a critical facility for future generations. The new hospital will provide state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, ensuring the best possible care for children and their families.”
The construction works are valued at £389 million, with the overall development projected to cost £671 million.
The construction costs will be spread over the five-year construction period and will be funded from the Department of Health capital budget.