Contractor Henry Brothers Construction, headquartered in Magherafelt, has started work on a project to expand the Stroke Unit at Lincoln County Hospital. The £1.9m scheme – the first of two phases – includes the reconfiguration of Navenby Ward to increase capacity at the Stroke Unit. Two five-bay wards will be merged into a single Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU), with layout changes to ancillary compartments, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing modernisation. The existing ward will be given a refresh with new joinery, floors, doors, decoration, ceiling and lights. MD of Henry Brothers Construction Ian Taylor said: “We are very pleased to have begun work on this project at Lincoln County Hospital which will improve patient services and provide a more attractive place for hospital staff to work. “Henry Brothers Construction is currently delivering a number of healthcare schemes for hospitals across the East Midlands, and has recently completed a new Endoscopy Unit in Leicester. We are extremely proud to play a part in supporting our local hospitals as they enhance their buildings and facilities to deliver even better care for patients.” United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust appointed Henry Brothers Construction to the project under the Pagabo Refit and Refurbishment Framework. Other team members involved in phase one of the refurbishment include Day Architectural, who are providing architectural, project management and quantity surveying services, and DSSR, who are undertaking the mechanical and electrical engineering services. Following refurbishment of Navenby Ward, phase two of the scheme will begin on refurbishing the existing Stroke Unit. Henry Brothers Construction is part of The Henry Group, which comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit out. In partnership with its valued clients, it has a proven track record in education, defence, commercial, industrial, transport and healthcare sectors. For more information, visit henrybrothers.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major £65 million redevelopment of Lynfield Mount Hospital has been approved for construction after receiving Full Business Case sign-off from the Department of Health and Social Care. The project, led by P+HS Architects in partnership with offsite manufacturer McAvoy, will now move into the build phase following the funding green light. The redevelopment will transform the hospital into a modern mental health facility, combining the refurbishment of existing wards with the construction of a new modular two-storey ward block. Plans include upgrading bedrooms to provide 100% en-suite accommodation, alongside improved clinical spaces, therapeutic environments and staff facilities. The scheme has been developed in collaboration with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, with a focus on patient wellbeing. Design features include increased natural light, access to outdoor space and layouts aimed at supporting recovery and delivering high-quality care. Therese Patten, Chief Executive of Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is an important milestone for the Trust and for the people who rely on our mental health services. The redevelopment of the central block will bring significant improvements to Lynfield Mount Hospital, to create a facility that supports the recovery and wellbeing of service users, and a better working environment for staff. “We have worked closely with staff, patients, families, carers and partners to develop our plans and ensure that the redeveloped site can support the needs of our local communities for years to come. “We are delighted to have received this final stage of approval as it gives us the go ahead to start making our exciting vision a reality.” The project also aligns with wider NHS priorities, including sustainability and long-term value, and is designed to meet modern environmental standards. Cath Lake, Director and Mental Health Lead at P+HS Architects, said: “This project represents a significant step forward in the design of forward thinking, therapeutic mental healthcare environments. Funding approval from the Department of Health and Social Care reflects the strength of the clinical vision and the collaborative approach taken by the Trust and project team. We’re proud to be working alongside Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust to help create a facility that supports recovery, wellbeing for patients and staff.” Stephen Clayton, Preconstruction Director at McAvoy, added: “Achieving funding approval from the Department of Health and Social Care marks a significant step forward in the creation of new high-quality mental healthcare facilities for the Bradford community. The modular approach supports the creation of a flexible, therapeutic environment which will be delivered efficiently and with minimal disruption. We are committed to working alongside the Trust and project partners to ensure this facility is delivered to the highest standards without delay.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major healthcare redevelopment scheme in Bradford has secured £65 million in business case approval from the Department of Health and Social Care, paving the way for a significant upgrade to mental health facilities at Lynfield Mount Hospital. The project combines refurbishment and new-build elements, with plans to modernise existing wards while introducing a new two-storey extension. The scheme has been designed by P+HS Architects, with offsite specialist McAvoy appointed to deliver the build programme. Central to the development is the refurbishment of bedrooms across two wards, where en-suite facilities will be introduced to improve patient privacy and comfort. Alongside this, the new modular building will expand capacity and provide modern, purpose-designed clinical space aligned with current healthcare standards. The design has been shaped through close collaboration with service users, alongside clinical and estates teams from Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust. A strong emphasis has been placed on creating a therapeutic environment, with increased access to natural light, improved views and enhanced connections to outdoor spaces. Internally, layouts have been carefully planned to ensure clarity, ease of movement and a calm, supportive setting for both patients and staff. The use of offsite construction is expected to play a key role in accelerating delivery, reducing disruption on site and improving build quality. Modular techniques are increasingly being adopted across healthcare and public sector projects, particularly where speed, efficiency and consistency are critical. Therese Patten, chief executive of the Trust, described the approval as a major milestone, enabling the project to move forward into delivery. She noted that the redevelopment will significantly enhance the quality of care and environment for patients relying on the facility. The scheme reflects continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, with modern construction methods supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-focused environments across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Southwark Council has approved plans to build a new health centre at Elephant and Castle, aiming to bring expanded, modern healthcare services closer to the local community. The proposed facility will replace two existing GP surgeries that have been deemed no longer fit for purpose. In their place, the new centre will offer a wider range of services designed to support residents’ health and wellbeing, forming part of the council’s long-term vision to create a more inclusive and healthier neighbourhood. Pending final approvals, the health centre is expected to open in 2031. The council plans to purchase space within The Hub development using funds from the Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The project will be delivered in partnership with the NHS South East London Integrated Care Board, with the building fitted out to meet NHS standards. Plans for the centre include modern GP facilities with improved accessibility, dedicated treatment and minor procedure rooms, and specialist services covering areas such as women’s health, long-term conditions, and mental health. The building will also house community services, including therapy and counselling rooms, as well as flexible spaces for group consultations, clinics, and outreach programmes. By bringing multiple healthcare services together under one roof, the centre aims to simplify access to care, reduce the need for travel, and improve coordination between providers. Officials say this will help residents manage their health more effectively within their local area. The project represents one of the final stages of the wider Elephant and Castle regeneration programme. Once completed, the centre will be leased to the NHS, providing the council with a long-term public asset and a steady income stream to reinvest in local services. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A landmark £25m Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has been officially opened at Upton Hospital in Slough, marking a significant investment in the region’s healthcare infrastructure. Delivered by leading offsite construction specialists, Western, the new 2,800m² facility is designed to radically improve access to essential scans and tests for the local population. The project was completed within a 52-week timeframe through the use of advanced off-site manufacturing and BIM 3D modelling. By pre-assembling modules away from the site, the structure was made watertight within just five days of installation. This modern method of construction significantly reduced waste, programme risk, and disruption within the live hospital environment. Western provided a comprehensive turnkey design-and-build service for the project. Their remit included the full internal fit-out as well as essential external works, such as the development of car parking facilities and the installation of EV charging infrastructure. Operating 12 hours a day, seven days a week, the centre is expected to provide up to 150,000 additional diagnostic tests every year. The service offering includes CT, MRI, and ultrasound scanning, together with cardiology and respiratory testing. These facilities will support the earlier diagnosis of conditions like heart disease and cancer, while simultaneously reducing waiting lists and easing the operational burden on local GP practices and Wexham Park Hospital. The CDC’s location was chosen for its accessibility, situated within a 10-minute walk of Slough railway station and in close proximity to major bus routes. The development follows a detailed public consultation held in 2023, ensuring the facility reflects community feedback and addresses local health inequalities. James Clarke, Chief Strategy Officer at FHFT, said: “This is an exciting moment for the Trust and the people of Slough. The centre will play a vital role in addressing health inequalities by ensuring that diagnostic services are accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live.” Rory McGuigan, MD of Western, added: “The Slough Community Diagnostic Centre demonstrates the strength of modern methods of construction in delivering high-quality healthcare infrastructure at pace. By combining advanced off-site manufacturing, BIM-led design and a full turnkey approach, we have been able to provide Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust with a facility that is efficient, sustainable and future-focused. Most importantly, this centre will make a real difference to the people of Slough – enabling faster diagnoses, improving patient experience and supporting better health outcomes across the community. We are proud to have partnered on a project that reflects both innovation in construction and ambition in healthcare delivery.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Residents of Luton and surrounding areas will have access to earlier diagnosis of medical conditions resulting in better long-term health thanks to a new community diagnostic centre (CDC) being built by Ashe Construction on the University of Bedfordshire’s Luton Campus. The £10m project for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, part of a £25m investment will see 1,500sqm of former teaching space remodelled to house advanced medical diagnostic services for the local community. This follows the reprovision of teaching space elsewhere on the campus to continue to provide, modern, student focussed facilities. The scheme aims to provide the services nearer to where users live and in more accessible facilities with state-of-the-art technology. Patients will see improved access to high quality imaging, and shorter waiting times for critical tests including, routine, non-complex CT, Endoscopy, and bone density (Dexa) scanning services all available there.  The facility will benefit from a new drop-off area and dedicated entrance to allow easy access to the new facilities without impacting the University’s teaching spaces. A plant tower will also be built at the Park Street end of the University’s C Block building to house all the necessary plant and equipment to run the state-of-the-art machinery. Ashe will deliver the project in phases to minimise disruption to the campus with the first phases including minor enabling works making way for the main construction and re-modelling work. The mechanical and electrical fit out will then take place, ready for installation of the specialist medical imaging equipment. With completion set for March 2027, the CDC will facilitate earlier diagnoses, improved long-term condition management, and better care coordination for many patients across Luton and South Bedfordshire, ultimately helping to enhance patient outcomes and reduce health inequalities for the local community. The project concept has been designed by Phillips & Co, AD Architects, TB&A and Perega, and the project design has been progressed by Roberts Limbrick; the project management is led by the Trust and BCAL is the structural engineer.  Cost management for the project will be provided by AECOM and Stuart McCurry & Partners is the Building Services Designer. Procured through the Pagabo Refit & Refurbishment Framework, the scheme provides a great example of cross-sector collaboration between Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Bedfordshire University, with further opportunities for research and innovation, and student placement opportunities for teaching and training. Ashe has recently completed Lloyds Court CDC in central Milton Keynes for Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Gilbert Hitchcock House (GHH) in Bedford, also for Bedfordshire Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust. The success of the project at GHH has resulted in a further £2m contract to fit out the first floor, and provide £200k of improvements to the second floor, with completion scheduled for May this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Kier has been appointed to deliver the long-awaited £120m replacement for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh, bringing renewed momentum to a project that has faced years of delay and uncertainty. The contractor will act as principal supply chain partner for NHS Lothian on the new specialist facility, which will be built at the Edinburgh BioQuarter in Little France. The development will replace the existing Eye Pavilion, first deemed “not fit for purpose” in 2014. Since that assessment, the project has encountered a series of setbacks, including funding withdrawals, budget freezes and changing government priorities. These challenges pushed back the anticipated completion date, with the new hospital now expected to open in late 2027 or later. An earlier proposal in 2018 saw Graham lined up under a £45m contract, but the scheme stalled as costs rose and funding arrangements shifted. The latest appointment marks a significant step in finally progressing the long-planned facility. The new hospital will sit alongside the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, forming part of the city’s expanding healthcare and research campus at BioQuarter. The site is intended to strengthen Edinburgh’s position as a leading centre for medical treatment, research and innovation. Kier has highlighted its experience in delivering specialist eye facilities, including the NHS Golden Jubilee Eye Hospital and Sunderland Eye Infirmary, as key to supporting the project’s delivery. Sean Fenner, managing director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said the company was proud to be appointed as principal supply chain partner and to support NHS Lothian in delivering early construction works for the new Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has appointed McBains to provide project management and cost management services for the construction of the new £250m Sussex Cancer Centre in Brighton. The appointment follows the recent confirmation of Laing O’Rourke as main contractor for the five-storey facility, which will form a major part of Wave 1 of the Government’s New Hospitals Programme. Located at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, the centre is scheduled to open in 2029 and is set to triple the Trust’s cancer care capacity, supporting up to 60,000 patients a year. The new building will rise on the site of the former Barry Building, which prior to its demolition was recognised as the oldest hospital building in the country. Its replacement marks a significant step forward in modernising healthcare infrastructure across Sussex. The Sussex Cancer Centre represents the second phase of the Trust’s ambitious three-stage 3Ts Redevelopment programme. The first phase, the Louisa Martindale Building, opened in 2023 and delivered a major upgrade to acute and specialist services. As part of phase two, a landscaped public plaza will be created to link the new cancer centre with the Louisa Martindale Building, improving connectivity and enhancing the overall patient environment. The third and final phase of the redevelopment will involve the construction of a new service and logistics yard on the site of the current cancer department, designed to improve operational efficiency across the wider hospital campus. McBains previously delivered project management, cost management and NEC supervision services for the Louisa Martindale Building, as well as site enabling works for the Sussex Cancer Centre last year. Hemant Sharma, associate director at McBains, said the firm was proud to continue its involvement in the transformation of healthcare services in the region, building on its experience of delivering modern facilities that enhance both patient care and staff wellbeing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans for a £1bn expansion of the London Cancer Hub in Sutton have been granted planning consent, paving the way for one of the UK’s most significant investments in cancer research, treatment and life sciences infrastructure. Backed by Aviva Capital Partners alongside developer Socius, the scheme will create a major new campus bringing together global pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, clinicians and manufacturers in a single, highly connected environment. Designed by Gensler, the development will deliver a mix of specialist research and innovation space, including wet laboratories, advanced manufacturing facilities and flexible offices aimed at encouraging collaboration across industry, academia and healthcare. Supporting amenities will include a dedicated Learning Lab, cafés, a crèche and landscaped public spaces, alongside 220 affordable homes for key workers. The campus is positioned as nationally significant science infrastructure, aligning closely with government ambitions to accelerate growth in the UK life sciences sector and strengthen the country’s position as a global leader in medical research and innovation. Once complete, the London Cancer Hub is expected to support thousands of highly skilled jobs and act as a catalyst for wider economic growth across south London. Buildings will be arranged around new pedestrian and cycle routes, with a strong focus on placemaking and accessibility. The masterplan prioritises sustainability, with all buildings targeting net-zero carbon in operation and designed to promote healthy, low-energy environments for both researchers and residents. With planning now secured, the project is expected to move into delivery, with contractor procurement anticipated to begin shortly. Construction will mark the next major step in bringing the ambitious vision for the campus to life. The wider professional team includes Arup as structural and building services engineer and Aecom providing project management and cost consultancy services. Once delivered, the expanded London Cancer Hub will play a central role in accelerating breakthroughs in cancer treatment, fostering collaboration across disciplines and reinforcing the UK’s life sciences ecosystem for decades to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals