Kier has been appointed by Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust and East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust to deliver a new integrated health hub in Bakewell in Derbyshire for people living in the town and the Derbyshire Dales.
A turf-cutting ceremony marked the start of construction on the £10.5 m scheme, which will bring together two services in one modern building. The project will provide ‘a modern new home’ for community health services currently provided in the adjacent outdated 19th century Newholme Hospital, earmarked for closure, and the neighbouring former ambulance station – which is being demolished to make way for the new hub. The new space will include an East Midlands Ambulance Service hub on the ground floor, and a waiting area with accessible amenities. The second floor will house 10 consultation rooms and four treatment rooms, a children’s area, group room, office space, a large waiting area, baby feeding and changing rooms, toilets, and the reception.
Prem Singh, the Trust’s chairman, who welcomed guests to the turf-cutting, said: “This investment in healthcare will help future-proof local health service provision for the next generations of residents in the Bakewell area. We are delighted to be working in close partnership with our ambulance service colleagues to create integrated facilities which support the principle of joined-up care. It has taken a lot of planning, over several years, to get to this stage. We can now enjoy seeing the new building progress over the coming months, knowing what fantastic facilities we will be providing to the local community when the doors open in early 2024.”
Martin Williamson, Operations manager for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to join the Trust team to deliver this important healthcare facility for the people of Bakewell and surrounding areas. As leading healthcare contractors, we’re looking forward to using our expertise to create this new integrated health hub, which will leave a lasting legacy for the community."
