A NEW £30m institute of transplantation at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle has been completed with the help of one of the region’s construction consultants.
Newcastle-based consultancy and chartered quantity surveyors Rider Hunt acted as external cost advisor to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on the institute at the Freeman Hospital, which took almost two years to complete and will house cardiothoracic transplant surgery, general transplant surgery and renal transplant surgery.
The institute, which covers 9,500 square metres over four levels, will open to the public in September and will offer 30 beds, a 22-bed critical care ward, an outpatient department, four operating theatres, a screening and imaging department, office accommodation and a lecture theatre.
Rider Hunt’s role included developing a cost plan, setting up contracts, issuing certificates for payment and regularly advising the trust on the forecast cost of the development.
Other work currently being handled by Rider Hunt includes acting as health and safety advisers on the refurbishment of Tynemouth Metro station, as well as project managing a health centre development in London.
Craig Beeby of Rider Hunt said: “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.
“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. “
Stephen Watts, project manager at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 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.
“We are delighted that Rider Hunt acted as our external cost advisor for this project. They have ensured the project was completed within the guaranteed maximum price.”
