Carefoot appointed to pair of multi-million-pound hospital projects

Longridge-based construction firm Carefoot has begun work on a £6.4m new endoscopy unit in Wigan after completing a £6.5m project at nearby Leigh to build a new surgery theatre and community diagnostic centre.

Carefoot is principal contractor for the endoscopy unit at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan and began on-site at the end of January this year following planning approval.

The project involves the construction of a four-storey steel frame extension to the hospital’s Grade II listed façade as well as major refurbishment works to the current ground-floor unit, totalling around 1,400 sq m.

The project at Leigh Infirmary involved the construction of 1,350 sq m new build extension to the hospital to build a new elective theatre and community diagnosis centre, which is now welcoming its first patients after completion in December 2023.

Colin Carefoot, chief executive, Carefoot, said: "As a company, we have been working with the NHS on healthcare construction projects for over 70 years and in addition to these two major extensions, which will improve healthcare capacity across the Wigan borough, we’re currently involved in multiple hospital projects across the North West.

“Working on healthcare projects brings unique issues - the project at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan is particularly challenging as the extension is adjacent to three live areas of a very busy hospital. However, our team has the experience and knowledge to manage the construction process in a way which minimises the impact on the trust and its patients.”

The two hospital extensions are being delivered by Carefoot for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and will improve diagnosis, reduce waiting times and increase care capacity across the Wigan borough.

Richard Mundon, director of strategy and planning at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "These developments will certainly help to futureproof our facilities, address the expected increases in population demand and play a significant role in reducing health inequalities across the Wigan borough.

"This can only lead to improved outcomes for our patients across a wide range of services, which is fantastic news for us as a trust, but also the wider community."