IHP inks contract for £1.3bn Leighton Hospital

Integrated Health Projects, the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, is aiming to begin construction of the 1.2m sq ft Crewe healthcare facility in the summer of 2028.

Leighton Hospital is one of 11 hospitals at the end of their lifespans to be rebuilt under the government’s Hospital 2.0 initiative, which involves the use of modern methods of construction and is part of the wider £37bn New Hospitals Programme.

IHP was among the 10 contractors selected in March to deliver the programme, which also includes the redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital in Crumpsall, which Bovis Construction will deliver.

At Leighton, the need for a replacement hospital is exacerbated by the presence of unstable RAA concrete in the 1970s estate.

Plans for a £1.3bn replacement designed by Ryder Architecture were signed off by Cheshire East Council in June.

IHP will now work on detailed design with the aim of starting on site in two years’ time. It is hoped the new hospital could open in 2033.

The joint venture has extensive experience in the healthcare sector. Among its recent projects are North View, a 150-bed mental health inpatient unit at NMGH, and a 180-bed facility at the Countess of Chester Women & Children’s Hospital.

Ian Moston, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s chief executive, said: “Together [with IHP] we will deliver what will be the single biggest infrastructure programme in Mid Cheshire for decades.

“Our bold plan will mean better outcomes by creating environments that improve patient care, support staff, strengthen resilience and provide long-term value for communities.”

He added: “But this programme will be more than a like-for-like hospital replacement. The development, along with the wider ambition for a health and care neighbourhood, is a £1.4bn investment in Mid Cheshire. This makes it a once in a generation opportunity to transform health and care services at a scale never seen before in this region.”

Commenting on behalf of IHP, Neil Martin, chief executive of Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “The new Leighton Hospital will transform healthcare for communities across Mid Cheshire, creating a modern, sustainable facility that will serve generations to come.

“Working alongside our IHP joint venture partner, VINCI Building, we are proud to help deliver a world-class hospital that will improve patient outcomes, support the wellbeing of healthcare professionals, and leave a lasting legacy for local people. We look forward to collaborating with the Hospital 2.0 Alliance, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and regional partners to bring this important vision to life.”