Building works have started on a new admin facility at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) in what marks a first step for the Our Future Hospital Programme on site. Our Future Hospital is the Trust’s response to NDDH being included in the national New Hospital Programme as a priority for investment.

Developers joined members of the Our Future Hospital team at the hospital in Barnstaple last month to celebrate the start of building works in this once-in-a-lifetime project, which will see much of the ageing estate at North Devon upgraded to provide modern, futureproof facilities for staff and patients.

The new admin facility is an important first step in the redevelopment, as it will allow the building of much needed modern staff residential accommodation elsewhere on site, supporting our recruitment plans for key clinical staff roles. The moves will also create the space for new clinical buildings later on in the programme.

Chris Tidman, Deputy Chief Executive and Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) of the Our Future Hospital Programme, said: “We’re very excited to be taking the first steps in rebuilding NDDH. With much of the estate at North Devon now over 50 years old, our buildings are in desperate need of upgrade so that they meet modern standards and deliver a service fit for the future.”

“These first stages of work are crucial, as developing better facilities for staff will support the Trust to recruit and retain the very best talent, and meet our ambitions to be a great place to work. Moving the existing admin block will also create the space we need to build modern facilities for our patients.”

Sam Higginson, who became Chief Executive of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in January, added: “It’s very exciting to have joined the Trust as work begins on-site in North Devon for the Our Future Hospital programme. As one of the most remote hospitals in the country, it’s difficult to convey just how important this redevelopment is to the health and wellbeing of our local populations.

“I look forward to seeing how the programme progresses over the coming months, and will continue to engage with colleagues, patients and partners to ensure we deliver a programme which future proofs our service for generations to come.”

North Devon District Hospital is one of the original 40 hospitals the government committed to rebuilding as part of the New Hospital Programme (NHP) in 2020. It is one of two acute hospitals run by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, who also deliver services at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.