West Cumberland Hospital has marked a significant milestone in the building of the new £40m phase two redevelopment project, as the first of the pre-cast concrete walls were delivered and erected on the site this week. Although lots of work has been going on behind the scenes to prepare the site for the arrival of the walls, this is the first time we will see what will become the finished build.
This modern method of construction casts building elements in re-useable moulds in a factory environment. The frame, panels and walls are then transported to site and the building is erected using a crane.
Dean Oliver, Executive Director of Performance, Planning and Strategy, said:
“This multi-million pound investment to develop a brand new two-storey extension to the hospital will bring a huge upgrade for our patients and staff. This week we are one step closer to delivering this project with it really taking shape. In just a few short months the entire outside building work will be complete ready for the internal works to begin”.
In total there will be 137 panels delivered and erected on site to complete the final build. The building will include a children’s and young people’s ward, a specialist palliative care ward, stepdown unit, elderly care ward and stroke rehabilitation unit.
The project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2024 and open to patients by May 2024.