The project team celebrates the start of work onsite

Construction work has started on a new administration facility at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH), marking the first step in Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Our Future Hospital programme.

Our Future Hospital is the trust’s response to NDDH being included in the national New Hospital Programme as a priority for capital investment.

And developers joined members of the hospital team last month to celebrate the start of building works, which will see much of the ageing estate upgraded to provide modern, futureproof facilities for staff and patients.

The new admin facility is an important first step in the redevelopment, as modern residential accommodation for staff is much needed and supports recruitment plans for key clinical staff roles.

The upgrade will also create the space for new clinical buildings later on in the programme.

Chris Tidman, deputy chief executive and senior responsible officer (SRO) for the Our Future Hospital programme, said: “With much of the estate at North Devon now over 50 years old, our buildings are in desperate need of upgrade so that they meet modern standards and deliver a service fit for the future.

“These first stages of work are crucial, as developing better facilities for staff will support the trust to recruit and retain the very-best talent, and meet our ambitions to be a great place to work.

“Moving the existing admin block will also create the space we need to build modern facilities for our patients.”

Sam Higginson, who became trust chief executive in January, added: “As one of the most-remote hospitals in the country, it’s difficult to convey just how important this redevelopment is to the health and wellbeing of our local populations.”

North Devon District Hospital is one of the original 40 hospitals the Government committed to rebuilding as part of the New Hospital Programme (NHP) in 2020.