Leighton Hospital, Crewe

Robertson has forged an excellent partnership with Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, delivering an ongoing programme of work at Leighton Hospital.

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) extension, Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) project, and new Baby Bereavement Suite are all important developments for the Trust which have improved Leighton Hospital for patients, visitors, and NHS staff.

We were initially appointed to build a single-storey extension for ancillary support facilities including office space, meeting rooms and overnight staff accommodation, and modernise the ICU to provide an additional four beds. We also refurbished space to create new laundry facilities, sewing room, offices, staff rooms, estates workshop, rest areas and changing rooms.

As hospital treatment and care can never be paused, our team devised a plan to maintain hospital operational continuity, splitting work into four phases.

The successful delivery of this project and the confidence built with our customer has led to repeat business from the NHS Trust and we have formed an excellent working relationship.

The Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) project was originally for urgent works to address possible concrete plank defects which were a potential risk to safety within the hospital.

Work also included asbestos removal from the floor and wall heads.

This project has evolved to a programme of work which includes:

• Ward refurbishments involving full demolition and strip-out, MEP installation/alterations, internal partitions, ceilings/floor finishes, full joinery, and furniture, fixtures, and fittings fit-out.
• Demolition of 10 accommodation blocks and construction of a 200-space car park.
• School of Nursing remodelling to provide high-quality offices and executive suite.
• Grade A office fit-out (including full rewiring/ventilation alterations) of Infinity House to provide accommodation for 200 staff.
• Remedial/end bearing steelwork to RAAC planks, asbestos removal, and roof finish removal/replacement.
• Fit-out of Tatton House, School of Nursing and South Cheshire private hospital enabling office staff/patient to decant.
• Modular accommodation to allow decant.

This phase of the project was completed in 2023. Further ward refurbishment works and RAAC support steelwork are to be carried out in future, as part of a wider programme to maintain the building until 2030, when a new hospital is to be constructed.

The suite is in Leighton Hospital's maternity unit and provides a comfortable, non-clinical environment for parents to stay with their baby. There is an attractive outdoor space for families to spend in the fresh air, allowing quiet time together away from the rest of the labour ward.

Funding for the suite was raised through an appeal called Lost Little Ones which was launched by the Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity (MCH Charity) in 2019.

As we continue to deliver exceptional work for our customer, the Trust's confident has continued to grow and we are now seen as a trustworthy and capable strategic partner, able to deliver projects which realise their vision for improved patient care in Mid Cheshire.