Bouygues appointed to deliver East of England children’s hospital

Bouygues UK has been appointed construction partner on a project to build the East of England’s first specialist children’s hospital.

The firm has signed a pre-construction services agreement for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital, a five-storey, 35,000 square metre facility at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

The scheme is being developed by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Cambridge.

Hawkins\Brown is lead architect, with White Arkitekter and Ramboll supporting. Mace is providing project management, while EDGE is cost consultant.

The hospital will bring together physical and mental healthcare with a 5,000 square metre research institute embedded in the building.

The facility is designed to treat both mind and body, incorporating outreach clinics, education support and space for families, as well as diagnostic and surgical services.

Proposals include 108 inpatient beds, 16 paediatric intensive care beds, seven operating theatres and a hospital school.

The building will also house 42 day-case beds and full imaging and diagnostic provision.

Cambridge Children’s Hospital is intended to support wider ambitions in the NHS 10-year Health Plan to integrate care and prioritise early diagnosis and prevention.

Staff and young people have contributed to the design through youth and young adult forums.

Construction is expected to begin within 18 months, subject to full business case approval.

Bouygues UK is already active on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, having delivered the new Cavendish Laboratory for the University of Cambridge.

The company has also worked on major UK healthcare schemes including the Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex University Hospital and the cancer and surgery centre for University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Bouygues UK chair and chief executive Philippe Bernard said the project aligned with the contractor’s focus on sustainability and healthcare innovation.

The project team is continuing to raise funds through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, the University of Cambridge and Head to Toe Charity. Contract value and procurement route details have not been disclosed.