Tilbury Douglas has been officially named as the lead contractor on the £100m Emergency Department & Critical Care Unit project at Dorset County Hospital.

Funded through the Government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP) and procured through the ProCure22 framework, the signing of the contract marks a major milestone for Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and means the main build can begin in the spring, once enabling works are complete.

Due to open in 2027, the new facilities will give the trust much-larger, state-of-the-art facilities to treat patients most in need of life-saving care.

It will include a rooftop helipad, purpose-built spaces for both major and minor injuries and conditions, a mental health facility, a dedicated emergency paediatrics area, 24 critical care beds, and an ambulance arrivals and fast assessment area.

Richard Boeg, managing director for building South and South Wales at Tilbury Douglas, said: “The signing of the contract is an important milestone for this project, which, once completed, will really benefit the local community for generations to come.

“Our extensive experience and knowledge in the sector, and of the hospital specifically, will enable us to move ahead with this scheme and deliver the first-class facilities required by the trust.”