A once in a generation investment programme into local NHS services has taken a major step forward as building work officially started in January at St Mary’s Hospital.
A breaking ground ceremony with our Chief Executive Darren Cattell, local MP Bob Seely and Managing Director, David McKenzie from Kier Construction, took place to mark the milestone.
The Investing in Our Future programme, due to be completed by Spring 2024, will deliver much needed improvements to upgrade hospital and community-based services to provide better quality care for a healthier and more resilient Island community.
Chief Executive, Darren Cattell said: “I am delighted to celebrate this important milestone in our Investing in Our Future programme. The £30.4m investment in our hospital and community based services will see improvements to patient care, the environments we provide care for them in and transformation to our community mental health provision.”
Bob Seely MP said: “I am delighted that work has now started on this important project that will give NHS services on the Isle of Wight a major boost.
“Millions of pounds of Government investment will not only help to upgrade facilities in St Mary’s, improve patient flow in the hospital and enable better use of beds, but it will also provide a much-needed integrated Mental Health and Community Hub in Newport High Street.
“These changes will benefit both our wonderful NHS staff and patients and I cannot wait to see the transformation take place over the next year or so.”
David McKenzie, Managing Director, Kier Construction, London and Southern, who have been contracted to carry out this programme of works, said: “Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of works on this transformational healthcare project which will make a real difference to the Isle of Wight. This is a very significant investment programme and we are immensely proud to play our part in delivering these plans for the Trust, patients and clinical staff.”
The investment programme will see a new £6.7m integrated mental health and community hub based in Newport and an improved £6.4m intensive care unit, a £12.2m new emergency floor and £5.1m acute bed reconfiguration at St Mary’s Hospital which will enable better use of beds and the separation planned and emergency inpatient care.
Further details about each of the projects, including patient and staff benefits, frequently asked questions as well as patient and visitor information to help plan a visit to St Mary’s Hospital during the works can be found on the Investing in Our Future website: www.investfuture.iow.nhs.uk
