‘Super’ hospital achieves financial close

The deal will provide a medical equipment support service at the new acute hospital, integrated care centre and mental health unit in Peterborough. The three new sites will be handed over in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively. Asteral will then continue to provide the ongoing equipment maintenance, training and replacement programmes as part of the long-term 35-year MES contract.

This is the first time that a ‘vendor independent’ MES has been integrated into a PFI hospital build scheme. Under the terms of the agreement, Asteral will be responsible for the procurement and replacement of all major equipment, design input to equipment rooms, installation and training of departmental staff at the new state-of-theart facilities. The existing technical staff will transfer to Asteral, who will provide first-line maintenance and other support services. The latest digital diagnostic radiology and theatre equipment will be provided, with guaranteed replacement lifecycles and “technology refresh”.

St. Clair Armitage, project director of the Greater Peterborough Health Investment Plan, said: “The Trust is delighted that the project has reached Financial Close and we look forward to the completion of our new acute hospitals. We will have the opportunity to provide outstanding healthcare to our patients in fantastic buildings with fantastic equipment. We are very pleased Asteral is part of the project and we are sure we will enjoy an excellent relationship with them as they play a key role in helping the trusts to deliver high quality healthcare.”