Gleeds named project manager for £720m hospital rebuild

Construction consultancy Gleeds has been named project manager for the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Leighton Hospital in Crewe. 

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust hired the firm to oversee the replacement of the existing hospital with a state-of-the-art facility, as part of the UK Government’s New Hospitals Programme.  

Leighton Hospital, which currently provides 556 beds, will be demolished due to its RAAC content for a carbon-neutral unit that will play a vital role in the delivery of a new clinical model for the Trust, with the aim of improving the experience of its 300,000 patients and 5,000 staff.  

The programme reached a significant milestone last month, with the purchase of four areas of land adjoining the site.  

The acquisition signalled the start of the next phase of development, guaranteeing an additional 24 acres of space and enabling detailed plans for the new hospital to be finalised.   

The Trust recently issued invitations to tender for an architect-led design team, which is expected to be in place by the end of May. 

Currently, it is expected delivery of the new Leighton Hospital campus, valued at £720 million, will be 2030.  

Brian McArdle, regional managing director for Gleeds, said, “Gleeds has extensive experience in delivering complex public health programmes and we have seen first-hand the enormously positive impact that they can have on communities.  

“Mid Cheshire Trust does incredible work, and this ambitious project represents an opportunity to further transform the district health offer for patients in the long term, improving care and ensuring that its facilities are future proofed.  

“I’m thrilled that Gleeds’ expertise has been recognised with this appointment and I look forward to collaborating with the project team as we get works underway.”   

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