Member Article

New transplant centre for Newcastle

The new Institute of Transplantation at the Freeman Hospital is nearly ready to open its doors to patients, bringing cutting edge medical treatments to the region.

The project, which cost £30 million and took almost 2 years to complete, will offer a new inpatient department, a 22-bed critical care ward, an outpatient department and new operating theatres.

The Trust’s project manager, Stephen Watts said: “The centralisation of our transplantation services, together with the state-of-the-art equipment available, will help drive the North East forward in being a centre of excellence for transplantation.

“Staff and patients are very much looking forward to relocating into the Institute, which will be open to the public in September. We are delighted that Rider Hunt acted as our external cost advisor for this project. Once again they have ensured the project was completed within the guaranteed maximum price.”

Newcastle based construction consultants and quantity surveyors Rider Hunt acted as external cost advisors to the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, under the ProCure21 National Framework.

Craig Beeby of Rider Hunt says: “As a Practice we are extremely proud to have been involved in this prestigious project.

“It provides a centre of excellence that further places The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at the forefront of transplantation. It also provides a world class facility for the region to be proud of.”

The company have already acted as advisors to several NHS projects across the country on a number of projects ranging from half million pound contracts up to those costing £80 million. The ProCure21 scheme sets up a framework for the NHS to ensure good value for money, efficiency and partnerships in capital investment schemes.

Craig added: “On a personal level, we have learned through this project there remains a concerning requirement for more organ donors in order for this facility to thrive.

“Our hope is that by having this incredible Institute on our doorstep, that it will encourage more individuals to register to become an organ donor. “

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .