A special topping out ceremony took place at Torbay Hospital on Thursday 16 June to signify that the new critical care unit and main entrance build has now reached its highest point.
The exciting £15m project will deliver a brand new, state-of-the-art critical care unit (CCU) with dedicated facilities for relatives. This major investment project will see a 14-bed CCU that will have all the latest technology and equipment required to provide a modern, patient focused environment. The project also includes a warm and inviting new main entrance with a café, a shop and additional public amenities.
Interserve, the international support services and construction group, are the appointed contractors to deliver the project.
Work began to prepare the site back in March 2015 and, in July 2015 a groundbreaking ceremony marked the official start of the building work.
The Trust’s Chairman Sir Richard Ibbotson, Chief Executive Mairead McAlinden, together with representatives from the Trust’s League of Friends, Interserve and partners, marked the topping out milestone with a celebratory ceremony on site.
![CCU topping out [1] low res](https://wearesouthdevon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/CCU-topping-out-1-low-res-300x210.jpg)
Sir Richard Ibbotson, Chairman of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I, on behalf of the Trust, cannot thank everyone enough for their hard work and involvement in getting the project to this point – it’s fantastic that we can all now see the plans becoming a reality.
“Our current 10-bed Critical Care Unit is now nearly 30 years old and whilst the staff support our patients to a very high standard, this development will provide a ‘state-of-the-art’ facility for this much valued service.
“The topping out ceremony was a proud day for the Trust as this project will transform the delivery of care for our patients, visitors and staff.”
Mairead McAlinden, Chief Executive of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This development has only been made possible by the hard work and support of our League of Friends and the very generous donations from local people who support Torbay Hospital in so many ways. Today, as we mark a significant milestone not only for the Trust but for the people of Torbay and South Devon, I want to thank the League and the many other partners who have made this possible.
“Our League of Friends has supported this project from the start, committing to raise £1.6m through the ‘this is critical’ campaign to equip the new CCU with the latest high-tech equipment. Our League members are our partners in care, and their contribution – all done as volunteers – adds real value to the care we provide. Every patient we treat in Torbay Hospital will have benefited in some way from their work; whether it is from new state-of-the-art equipment, comforts for patients or new artwork to improve the look and feel of a ward.
“I would also like to acknowledge the support of Paignton Hospital League of Friends who made a very generous donation of £300,000 to support the fundraising campaign, knowing that the people of Paignton will benefit from this new facility. It’s a real example of a community-wide effort to make sure that people across Torbay and South Devon who are critically ill get the very best of care.
“I would like to thank our Leagues of Friends across all our Hospitals for their continued support, they all do wonderful work and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.”
Paul Gale, Divisional Director of Interserve commented: “We are delighted to be involved in this project and to mark this critical milestone with all stakeholders involved in the build. Over the last year we have built a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Trust, something we look to continue and I am proud of our team with the delivery to date. We are committed to working collaboratively with the Trust to build a healthier future for patients, visitors and staff.”
The hospital’s League of Friends has so far raised a staggering £1.4m towards their £1.6m total and they have many more fundraising activities planned over the coming months. Information on the League’s ‘This is Critical’ appeal and how to donate can be found on their website: www.thlof.co.uk/ccu-appeal.
It is expected that the CCU and main entrance project will be completed by winter 2016 / 2017.
For more information and latest updates on our investment projects, visit www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk
You can follow #HealthierFuture on Twitter for the latest project developments.
