Sick Kids to go Dutch for new hospital's designers

Published on Wednesday 1 April 2009 09:45

THE Sick Kids has appointed the company behind a massive redevelopment of Great Ormond Street Hospital to oversee the building of its £150 million new home.

Bam Construction Ltd will draw up designs for the new hospital at Little France, taking into account the wishes of young patients who have spent time on the Sick Kids' old Victorian wards.

The Dutch firm – which has offices in Scotland – has extensive experience of similar projects, including building a 12m burns unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

It is currently working on a 70m, ten-storey wing at Great Ormond Street in London, which will house the UK's biggest paediatric centre for cardiac, kidney and neurology care.

The new hospital, which is due to open in 2012, will be enhanced by extra facilities, including hotel-style accommodation for young patients' families, thanks to a 15m fundraising campaign backed by the Evening News.

Ken McAlpine, director of Bam Construction in Scotland, said: "This is an ambitious project that will literally transform lives.

"There are very few projects of this scale and nature, not just in the UK but across the world. We are as excited about it as we are honoured to be involved.

"It is Bam's ambition not simply to deliver world-class health facilities, but to do so considerately and in a way that involves and respects the community."

Bam won the Considerate Constructors Scheme's national gold award for 2009 last week for its part in the redevelopment of the old Fountain Brewery site, where it has been involved in building homes, offices, shops and a park.

The new Sick Kids will be almost twice the size of the existing building and will care for more children and young people.

It will be linked to but separate from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The design brief for the hospital was drawn up by NHS Lothian after extensive consultation with children, young people and families.

It sets out a need for open views from the building and access to green space, while at the same time providing a high percentage of single en-suite rooms and play and relaxation spaces.

Jackie Sansbury, director of strategic planning at NHS Lothian, said: "I am delighted to be able to announce this significant milestone in our journey to create a new world-class hospital.

"We are confident that Bam Construction Ltd will help us deliver a landmark hospital to match the excellence of the services we aspire to provide."

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