Gleeds has been appointed as the project manager for Leighton Hospital’s £720m redevelopment, a significant step in addressing the RAAC crisis impacting several UK hospitals.
- The design team for this ambitious project will be announced shortly, marking the beginning of a comprehensive rebuilding process for the Crewe facility.
- This redevelopment includes the demolition of the existing hospital, with construction phases planned from 2026 to 2029, culminating in a 2030 opening.
- Gleeds’ extensive experience in public health projects is expected to facilitate a transformative development for Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
- The project is part of the government’s New Hospitals Programme, highlighting its significance in the national healthcare infrastructure overhaul.
Property and construction consultancy Gleeds has been confirmed as the project manager for the expansive £720 million redevelopment of Leighton Hospital in Crewe. This appointment comes as part of a broader initiative to address the RAAC crisis affecting numerous hospitals across the United Kingdom. The involvement of Gleeds signifies a move towards modernising healthcare facilities to meet future demands.
The announcement of the design team, an integral component of the redevelopment, is imminent. This team will collaborate closely with Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to ensure that the replacement hospital meets contemporary healthcare standards. Such a partnership underscores the importance of strategic planning and expert oversight in achieving the project’s ambitious goals.
Extensive planning marks this redevelopment project, with the submission of the outline business case slated for August 2025, and the final business case following a year later. The groundwork is set to commence in March 2026. The main construction phase is expected to span from December 2026 to June 2029, with an operational target for November 2029.
The existing hospital, built in the 1970s, will be demolished to make way for the new facility. This decision comes after significant investment in temporary stabilisation and repair works, addressing the structural deficiencies caused by the widespread use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Over 60% of the current hospital’s footprint is affected by RAAC.
The purchase of four land parcels adjoining the current Leighton Hospital site, completed in April, marks a significant milestone in this redevelopment, providing an additional 24 acres to facilitate the modernisation plans. This expansion is crucial for implementing what has been dubbed the Hospital 2.0 model, a forward-thinking blueprint for future-ready healthcare infrastructure.
Brian McArdle, Gleeds’ regional managing director, highlighted the positive impact that such complex public health programmes can have, emphasising the transformative potential of this project for local healthcare delivery. His enthusiasm reflects the project’s strategic importance in enhancing district health services.
Russ Favager, the senior responsible officer for the Leighton New Hospital Programme, described this stage as a testament to the collaborative effort across the Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust, its partners, and the national programme team. This multidimensional collaboration is a key driver in realising the 2030 completion target for the new hospital.
Leighton Hospital’s inclusion in the government’s New Hospitals Programme underscores its strategic importance. It shares this spotlight with four other hospitals impacted by the RAAC crisis, including facilities in West Yorkshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Surrey. This highlights a nationwide commitment to revamping critical healthcare infrastructure.
The appointment of Gleeds as project manager for Leighton Hospital’s redevelopment signifies a major commitment to modernising healthcare infrastructure in response to pressing structural challenges.
