TV presenter and property expert, Sarah Beeny, recently joined Yeovil Hospital staff for the opening of a new apartment complex, designed and built to provide homes for frontline staff.
The star of Channel 4’s New life in the Country cut the ribbon to officially open the complex alongside hospital chief executive, Jonathan Higman; Yeovil Mayor, Councillor Evie Potts-Jones; and representatives from development partner, Prime; and contractor, Speller Metcalfe.
The apartments were purpose built for staff at the hospital and have been designed to create a community environment with communal areas where residents can socialise and study.
A total of 176 bedrooms across 66 apartments are available for staff and students to rent and the apartments are all light and spacious and can cater for families as well as individuals and couples.
The building work has been funded and delivered through Yeovil Hospital’s strategic estates partnership with Prime, which has developed the project.
The apartments were funded by Canada Life and built by Speller Metcalfe.
The joint venture between the trust and Prime has delivered several key projects, including the hospital’s multi-storey car park and link road, an emergency assessment unit, main entrance refurbishment, and an extension to the special care baby unit.
Many of these staff have worked on the frontline of our hospital’s pandemic response during the last year so it is important they are able to enjoy a secure and relaxing environment away from the hospital
Higman said: “We are so proud to be able to offer our staff and students modern, comfortable accommodation, which has the added benefit of being just a five-minute walk from the hospital.
“Many of these staff have worked on the frontline of our hospital’s pandemic response during the last year so it is important they are able to enjoy a secure and relaxing environment away from the hospital.
“These apartments will also help us to recruit and retain new clinical staff, including some of those joining our team from overseas.”
Leighton Chumbley, chief executive of Prime, added: “We’re delighted to see residents moving into this incredibly-important key worker accommodation complex.
“This is a much-needed scheme, which will not only improve the lives of the hardworking and dedicated NHS staff and students who work at the hospital, but will also breathe new life into Yeovil town centre.”