Work involves demolition of most of the existing Edwardian hospital buildings and reconstruction of the hospital set in parkland. The project, set for completion in 2015, will create what is being called 鈥榯he UK's first children's health park'.
It is being delivered by the Acorn consortium, comprising John Laing, Laing O鈥橰ourke and Interserve. Laing O鈥橰ourke will lead on the 拢167m construction element, with significant offsite work. Interserve will provide facilities management, worth 拢50m, and is providing 20% of the consortium鈥檚 equity.
John Laing and Laing O鈥橰ourke each hold 40%.
The new hospital is being built on behalf of Alder Hey Children鈥檚 NHS Foundation Trust and will have a floor area of 51,000m2. It will contain 270 beds and 16 operating theatres.
Consulting engineer WSP has worked on the project since 2010, providing design services to the Acorn consortium鈥檚 winning bid.
Responding to client Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 brief to reduce on site labour, maximise off site construction and improve health and safety generally, WSP has designed and detailed most structural components, including the load bearing sandwich panel fa莽ade, so that they can be manufactured efficiently off site.
WSP project director Malcolm Davidson said: 鈥淎lder Hey hospital is going to truly iconic, it will be talked about for years to come. The design is a unique integration of engineering and architecture and was designed with its patients, children and staff, in mind every step of the way. It is very exciting that these designs are about to be brought into reality and we are immensely proud to have been part of, and continue to be part of this innovative, ground breaking and important project. It set a new benchmark in children鈥檚 healthcare design for decades to come.鈥�
The project has slipped over the past couple of years. When Acorn was , the intention was to start construction that summer to achieve an opening date of October 2014, to coincide with the hospital鈥檚 centenary.
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