Contractor, Tilbury Douglas, has marked a construction milestone in the development of a new rapid assessment unit at Stepping Hill Hospital.

The completion of the new facility, located within the Emergency and Urgent Care Campus, was celebrated with a light switch-on of the trust’s signage.

And it marks a key stage in the full remodelling of the emergency department.

Phil Shaw, divisional director for the North West at Tilbury Douglas, said: “We are delighted to bring the team together and mark the construction progress with the light switch-on event that symbolises the teamwork which has driven the development and the shared ambition for the best-possible patient care.”

The scheme comprises a full-scale remodelling of the existing emergency department, with approximately 2,600sq m of internal refurbishment, along with a remodelling of the existing ambulance drop-off.

There will also be new assessment, treatment, and consultation areas for several key emergency and urgent care services including the children’s emergency department, mental health, and medical same-day emergency care.

The project also includes 1,300sq m of new-build development, with 375sq m of new non-clinical staff accommodation at first-floor level.

Once completed, the campus will help to enhance emergency and urgent care for the local population of Stockport, as well as residents in High Peak and Cheshire East.

Karen James OBE, chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It was a delight to help switch on the lights and see the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust name lit up on our new rapid assessment unit.

“It really looks fantastic and we are all looking forward to the whole new emergency and urgent care campus opening in the new year to help us provide enhanced care for our patients.”

In attendance to mark this milestone was Stockport NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, Karen James OBE, who was joined by representatives from The Trust’s Governors, Tilbury Douglas, Rider Hunt and Hive.