Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Opus Building Services as an interim contractor to carry on the construction work for Berwick Community Hospital.
“Opus, our interim contractor, are now established on site, and we are very pleased that they have re-employed most of the on-site Merit team,” said Damon Kent, Managing Director of Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management.
In mid-November, the hospital project was stalled, after the original construction partner, Merit, was placed into administration due to serious financial difficulties.
With Opus Building Services selected as an interim contractor, the Trust has now also begun the process of selecting a permanent replacement to complete the build.
Internally, the hospital building has advanced in the build, with completed floors, walls, ceilings and staircases.
The inpatient ward and space for the local GP service, Well Close Medical Group, are almost complete.
Opus will now begin to tackle the build for the theatre and endoscopy suites.
Externally, site clearing, glazing and roof-plant works are in progress, followed by cladding and groundworks.
Once structural work is done, all systems will undergo thorough testing before staff and patients move in.
“We would like to reassure everyone that we are doing all we can to progress things as quickly as we can,” said Marion Dickson, Executive Director for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at Northumbria Healthcare.
When completed, the hospital will not only replace outdated facilities, it will bring back services such as endoscopy, audiology, ophthalmology, gynaecology and colposcopy, boosting local access to care and reducing travel for many residents.
The revised completion timeline has not yet been announced, but the Trust promises to keep the community updated.