Gleeds named project manager for new Leighton Hospital

Property and construction consultancy Gleeds has been named project manager for the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Leighton Hospital in Crewe, on behalf of Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

Gleeds will oversee the replacement of the existing site with a state-of-the-art facility - under the government’s New Hospitals Programme. 

The hospital, which currently provides 556 beds, is to be demolished to make way for a carbon-neutral unit that will play a vital role in the delivery of a new clinical model for the trust, improving the experience of its 300,000 patients and 5,000-strong staff. 

The programme reached a significant milestone in April with the purchase of four areas of land adjoining the existing site. 

The acquisition signalled the beginning of the next phase of the development, guaranteeing an additional 24 acres of space and enabling detailed plans for the new hospital model to be finalised.  

Mid Cheshire NHS Foundation Trust recently issued invitations to tender for an architect-led design team for the project, which is expected to be in place by the end of May.  

Regional managing director for Gleeds, Brian McArdle, said: “Gleeds has extensive experience in delivering complex public health programmes and we have seen first-hand the enormously positive impact that they can have on communities. 

“Mid-Cheshire Trust does incredible work, and this ambitious project represents an opportunity to further transform the district health offer for patients in the long term, improving care and ensuring that its facilities are future proofed. 

“I’m thrilled that Gleeds’ expertise has been recognised with this appointment and I look forward to collaborating with the project team as we get works underway.” 

Russ Favager, board senior responsible officer for Leighton New Hospital Programme and Estates Redevelopment, added: “To get to this stage is testimony to the collaborative approach to working together across Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust, our partners, and the national programme team. 

“As we move through the planning and business case development stages we are committed to this partnership approach, continuing the close working with our local health and care partners as well as the national New Hospital Programme Team in order to drive forward with our ambitions to deliver our New Leighton campus by 2030.”