The £312m revamp of two Midlands hospitals by Vinci and Sir Robert McAlpine has been given the go-ahead.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust confirmed that the full business case for its transformation programme had been approved, allowing construction to begin.
Integrated Health Projects (IHP), a joint venture of Vinci and McAlpine, was appointed as the trust’s design and construction partner for the scheme in January.
The plans will see an emergency department purpose-built at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, while planned surgery will be carried out at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
Enhanced urgent care is to be available at both sites, along with midwife-led units, endoscopy and other services.
As well as emergency care, the new-build facility will provide an acute medical floor, a critical care unit, and maternity, children’s, gynaecological and neonatal services.
The development will also includes a new entrance, improved hospitality facilities and an enhanced patient drop-off area.
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust said the new model would support its ambition to deliver high-quality, sustainable services for patients in modern facilities.
“The clinically led programme will provide faster access to the right care and clinicians, [and] result in shorter waiting times for planned surgeries and shorter hospital stays for our patients,” it added.
The trust said it would continue its ongoing investment at both hospitals and the further development of community-based services.
IHP, which was selected following a competition held through the ProCure23 framework, was set up more than 20 years ago to focus on the delivery of health infrastructure.
It is also working on two projects under the government’s New Hospital Programme, the delayed £1bn Whipps Cross Hospital in north-east London and the £105m National Rehabilitation Centre for Nottingham University Hospitals Trust.
