New hospital deal signed with construction firm

Bosses at a hospital trust say signing a deal with a construction firm to build a new hospital is a "major milestone".

West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, is affected by problems with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

A full rebuild on a neighbouring piece of land has been signed off by the government and is expected to cost between £1bn and £1.5bn.

International construction company Dragados has signed a deal to help build the new hospital.

The West Suffolk Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said the firm had "extensive experience delivering major healthcare projects" and would work to develop the design for the new hospital ahead of construction.

Ewen Cameron, chief executive of the trust said: "This is a major milestone in our journey towards delivering a new hospital for West Suffolk and marks the beginning of the next stage of the programme.

"We'll continue working closely with staff, patients and local communities as we develop the detailed designs.

"There is still more to do but today is another important step towards providing modern facilities for future generations."

Construction is expected to begin between 2027 and 2028.

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