Construction of Dorset County Hospital's new £100m emergency department and critical care unit has reached a major milestone, with the project topping out following the installation of its rooftop helipad.
Tilbury Douglas was appointed to deliver the project in February 2025.
The topping out ceremony marked the building reaching its highest point and brought together representatives from Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the New Hospital Programme, Tilbury Douglas and project partners.
Funded through the government's New Hospital Programme, the two-storey facility is due to open in 2027 and will provide expanded emergency and critical care capacity for patients across Dorset.
The new emergency department will include dedicated facilities for children and young people, alongside purpose-designed spaces for patients experiencing mental health crises.
The critical care unit will increase capacity from 11 to 16 beds, with scope for further expansion, and will also include a dedicated paediatric critical care space.
A link corridor will connect the new building to the existing hospital, allowing the current emergency department space to be repurposed for same day emergency care.
The milestone also saw the unveiling of the £2m rooftop helipad, funded by the HELP Appeal.
The aluminium helipad was manufactured in the Netherlands and installed by Bayards, enabling air ambulances to transfer critically ill patients directly into the hospital.
The development forms part of Dorset County Hospital's wider modernisation programme.
In addition to the government-funded building, Dorset County Hospital Charity is raising £2.5m to provide enhanced facilities, including overnight accommodation for relatives and improved staff wellbeing spaces.
“Reaching this milestone is a significant moment for everyone involved in delivering this vital healthcare facility,” said Paul Gale, Regional Director of South West at Tilbury Douglas.
