Key milestone reached in construction of new ANCHOR Centre
Published: 09/11/2021 01:00A new healthcare facility has marked a major milestone in its construction with the completion of its steel frame.
Work on NHS Grampian’s new 5,500msq ANCHOR Centre began in January this year, work is scheduled to be completed in February 2023. It is due to open to patients in May of that year.
The completion of the steel skeleton means that the construction team can begin to erect the buildings external walls and pour the concrete floors as this three-storey facility, on the Foresterhill Health Campus, in Aberdeen, continues to take shape.
Project director Jackie Bremner said: “It’s an important and exciting milestone in the buildings progress and allows you to begin to really understand the scale of the facility”.
“The ANCHOR Centre will allow us to provide excellent healthcare to the people of Grampian and the north for years to come, it will be vitally important going forward for both patients and staff.
“It will be dedicated to providing excellence in treatment and care by a professional and compassionate team, committed to innovative research and development, in a supportive and welcoming environment.”
The centre is being constructed as part of a £233.2million project which includes the new Baird Family Hospital, which is being constructed nearby.
The facility will bring together oncology and haematology day-patients and outpatients, aseptic pharmacy, research and teaching facilities, non-clinical support services and also radiotherapy services provided from what will become the adjoining Radiotherapy Centre which opened in 2013. Around 65,000 outpatients will use the centre each year.
Chris MacLeod, regional director for GRAHAM, said: “We have worked closely with NHS Grampian over the last four years in the development of the new Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre.
“Despite the disruption brought on by the pandemic, we are pleased to have remained on track with our schedule and to celebrate this milestone with all of the stakeholders involved.
“With the steel frame in place, it’s clear what an exemplar facility this is going to be, offering the highest quality of care, which will benefit the Northeast of Scotland and the wider region.”
Three charity partners are working to raise funds for the projects. The Archie Foundation is leading on fundraising for The Baird Family Hospital and Friends of ANCHOR is leading the campaign for The ANCHOR Centre. Their efforts will Deliver the Difference by helping to fund special finishing touches and additional clinical equipment in both buildings. The University of Aberdeen is fundraising to expand and accelerate their innovative research within these two outstanding new facilities. For more information, visit bairdanchor.org/fundraising
The Baird Family Hospital will include all of the services currently provided from Aberdeen Maternity Hospital (AMH) as well as other clinical services which are currently located elsewhere on the Foresterhill Health Campus:
· Maternity Services including a Community Maternity Unit
· Gynaecology Services
· Breast Services
· Neonatology Services
· Aberdeen Centre for Reproductive Medicine
· Radiology Services
· Operating Theatres
· Research and Teaching Facilities
· Non-Clinical Support Services
The Baird Family Hospital will be located towards the west of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) facing Foresterhill Road and Westburn Road. There will be a physical connection from the new hospital to both RACH and to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI).
The ANCHOR Centre will bring together the following services:
· Oncology and Haematology day-patients and out-patients
· Aseptic Pharmacy
· Research and Teaching Facilities
· Non-Clinical Support Services
· Including the existing Radiotherapy Centre
The ANCHOR Centre will be located at the south of the east end of the Foresterhill Health Campus, adjoining to the existing Radiotherapy Centre to create a single facility for all patients using Haematology, Oncology and Radiotherapy day- and out-patient services.