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The hospital will have 155 beds, 10 operating theatres and an emergency department capable of catering for up to 45,000 children per year Engineering firm AECOM and architect Isherwood + Ellis have revealed designs for a new US $850mn hospital, as Northern Ireland’s government gave the go-ahead for the project. Construction works are expected to take five years and cost $473.61mn, with the overall development worth $815.7mn. In addition to architecture, AECOM is providing NEC project management, civil, structural, interior design, and landscape architectural services on the project. GRAHAM-BAM Healthcare Partnership (GBHP) has been appointed to deliver the new children’s hospital as the main contractor. Work on the 10-storey children’s hospital is set to start immediately, now that it has been given the green light. It will have 155 beds, 10 operating theatres and an emergency department capable of catering for up to 45,000 children per year. Trevor Leaker, Head of Architecture and Design, UK & Ireland, AECOM said, “This state-of-the-art hospital is an important addition to Northern Ireland’s health estate, enabling the best-quality care possible, while making a demonstrable contribution towards its ambitious sustainability goals. In line with its design and art strategy, the hospital has been shaped to fill the wards with natural daylight, with rooms sitting on the upper floors so children have views over the Belfast hills and beyond.” “It was essential that the design didn’t compromise on quality care, putting children and their families at the very heart of them. The internal spaces thoughtfully consider the diverse needs of children of all ages, incorporating a blend of calming, playful and age-appropriate environments that work together to foster a positive and healing environment for young patients,” he added. Health minister Mike Nesbitt commented, “Patients and staff deserve the very best facilities that we can provide and the new Children’s Hospital will be truly world class, a healthcare facility that we can all be proud of. While we celebrate the go-ahead for this prestigious new facility, it’s important to acknowledge that, in common with major children’s hospital developments in Scotland and RoI, this project has had a difficult history with significant delays and cost increases.” |
