New Forest, new hospital

Atlas Ward Structures has been awarded a contract to fabricate and erect structural steel for the new PFI Lymington New Forest Hospital in Hampshire.

Main contractor Sussex-based Rydon Construction will work in partnership with associate company and PFI specialist Ryhurst on the £29.8M deal recently signed with New Forest Primary Care Trust.

Atlas Ward Structures will fabricate and erect 500t of structural steelwork and install 8,000m² of metal floor decking.

Peter Blewett, Principal Engineer at structural engineer Upton McGougan, said the hospital was designed with a steel frame “because it is a clean, reliable and quality assured product, which can meet strict NHS standards for acoustic insulation and vibration levels.”

The hospital, designed by architect Murphy Philipps, is made up of two buildings on a 3.72ha site. The main hospital building includes a three-storey ward building, a two- storey entrance and a two-storey diagnostic and treatment centre. The second building will provide the hospital’s energy, waste and management centre. The project is due to be completed in November 2006.