Construction of new Family hospital and ANCHOR buildings in Aberdeen to begin in January

NHS Grampian has said it is “delighted” that work to deliver the new £233 million Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre, in Aberdeen, has now reached an exciting milestone.

On the September 23 the Scottish Government approved the full business case, allowing the construction contract with GRAHAM to be concluded.

NHS Grampian entered into a construction contract with GRAHAM on October 21. The main construction will commence in January, with a programme of site mobilisation activities scheduled to be completed in the period up to Christmas. This includes a short programme of works to lower a number of lampposts adjacent to the site, located on Westburn Road. This work commenced on October 12.

This exciting new development will help modernise patient care at the Foresterhill Health Campus, which is one of Europe’s biggest healthcare sites, and is part of NHS Grampian’s continued investment in new or upgraded facilities across the north-east.

The ANCHOR Centre is scheduled to open in May 2023 and The Baird Family Hospital in December 2023.

Site preparatory works completed in July 2019 saw existing buildings demolished, roads realigned and a range of service diversions undertaken in advance of the main construction works.

NHS Grampian chair, Professor Lynda Lynch, said: “The formal signing of the Baird and ANCHOR contract and the support from the Scottish Government for this project is fantastic news for health services in the north-east. These world class facilities will provide tremendous benefits to our patients and staff and will support our ambitions to enhance research and create a first-class teaching environment.”

The health board’s chief executive, Professor Amanda Croft added: “I am extremely proud that we are able to move forward with these two significant developments and for the dedication and support of our staff, patients and partners in achieving this outcome. The new facilities have been designed with significant thought to the care we provide to our patients and their families and we look forward to the construction programme commencing.”

Project director, Jackie Bremner said: “This exciting milestone is the culmination of six years of hard work involving hundreds of people including clinical staff, patients and patient groups, members of the public, designers, construction and project team colleagues”.

“Now that all approvals are in place and the construction contract has been concluded we can begin to plan for commencement of the main works early in 2021”.

She added: “I hope that the people of Aberdeen, the north east and northern isles will continue to work with us as we prepare to bring these magnificent new facilities in to use for the benefit of patients and families for many years to come.”

Clinical lead for The ANCHOR Centre, Professor Mike Greaves added: “The Centre will provide a first-class environment for the support and treatment of those with cancer and disorders of blood and bone marrow, with an emphasis on patient comfort and privacy. It will enhance considerably the working environment for all staff who deliver this care, including dedicated areas for teaching, training and research.”

Consultant neonatologist and clinical lead for The Baird Family Hospital, Dr Mike Munro said: “In light of the pandemic, The Baird Family Hospital will mean all the more when it opens its doors and welcomes its first patient. It will truly symbolise everything the NHS stands for and reward all the efforts of the staff and patient groups involved.”

Regional managing director for GRAHAM Gary Holmes, said: "This is a major milestone for the business, moving us on to the next level of project delivery. Our project team has shown an unrivalled level of dedication and commitment to get to this point. We look forward to working with NHS Grampian and their stakeholders throughout the construction phase."