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Willmott Dixon breaks ground on £140m Plymouth hospital scheme

Willmott Dixon breaks ground on £140m Plymouth hospital scheme

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Hospital volunteers led the groundbreaking event
Hospital volunteers led the groundbreaking event

Derriford Hospital’s new emergency care building is the first Wave 1 scheme in the government’s new hospital programme to begin main construction.

The four-storey extension, procured for £140m  under P23 with Mace, replaces the hospital’s current 50-year-old emergency department. It is expected to transform urgent and emergency care provision for the southwest peninsula,

The project represents a significant milestone for University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, which serves as the region’s major trauma centre. Due to open in 2028/29, the new building will provide nearly twice the capacity of the existing facility.

Rob Woolcock, director at main contractor Willmott Dixon, said at the ground breaking formalities: “This represents not just the beginning of a building, but the next step in enhancing the care and wellbeing of thousands of patients every year.

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“We understand how crucial this development is. The current emergency department is one of the busiest in the southwest, and this new building will provide a modern, purpose-built environment designed to support both patients and staff – giving clinicians the space, technology, and flexibility they need to deliver outstanding care.”

The development, connected to the existing hospital, will have an expanded emergency department (ED) on the ground floor, with the existing ED space being reconfigured to serve as a dedicated paediatric ED following completion. The first floor will house a same day emergency care (SDEC) unit, providing urgent hospital treatment with follow-up managed in the community.

Advanced diagnostic and surgical facilities will occupy the upper floors, including four interventional radiology theatres on the second floor and five new surgical theatres for both emergency and planned procedures on the third floor.

Derriford Hospital adds to Willmott Dixon’s growing portfolio of healthcare projects. The company recently completed a £30m regeneration of Barnes Hospital in London. 

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