Last week, CHFT colleagues and our construction partner, Laing O'Rourke, came together with other partners and contractors to mark the start of the construction phase of the new hospital build project at CRH.

Colleagues will have seen the extensive enabling work to get CRH ready for the build has already started. Construction on the new hospital building is due to begin later this year and once completed will double the size of CRH. 

Due for completion in 2029, the new hospital building will have a new Emergency Department, with a dedicated Children’s Emergency Department, and eight new wards. Once open, CRH will provide all unplanned (acute) services, with all planned care being located at HRI. 

People at the event also heard about how the build will make a significant difference for our patients, families, and colleagues and provide compassionate care for generations to come. They also heard about how the project will have a long-lasting positive impact on local communities through opportunities for local employment, support for local businesses, and engagement.

The event follows a visit to the Laing O'Rourke off-site manufacturing site in Worksop last month, where colleagues were shown how the new hospital build will use modern methods of construction. 

Our Chief Executive, Rob Aitchison, said: “It’s an exciting time for our Trust. Our new hospital building at Calderdale is a significant step in transforming our hospital and community services for generations to come.

“In the last two years alone, we have made huge strides in our Foundations for our Future plans. To name a few, this includes a new A&E at HRI and two new Community Diagnostic Centres in the heart of Halifax and Huddersfield. All of which is helping deliver care closer to home whilst improving experience of care.

“Together with Laing O’Rourke, we will also deliver real social value which will ensure our new hospital has a positive and long-lasting impact on our local economy too and create opportunities for local people.”

Pictured are colleagues at the off-site manufacturing site in Worksop, along with a group photo of some of the Foundations for our Future team and Laing O'Rourke at the Partnership and Progress event last week which marked the start of the construction phase.