Construction of the new main entrance at Queen Alexandra (QA) Hospital in Portsmouth – which will include changing facilities and a Marks & Spencer food store among new patient and staff amenities – is now underway.
Being delivered by healthcare construction specialist, Stepnell, for Portsmouth Hospitals University (PHU) NHS Trust, the 12-month project includes the creation of a new Changing Places facility, one of three accessible toilet and changing spaces set to arrive at the hospital soon. A lecture theatre and a clothing store, The Stock Shop, will also be constructed. To accommodate the works on the live hospital site, a temporary side entrance has been created, and hoardings erected around the area of construction, closing the main revolving door at the existing entrance.
Stepnell’s works to the main entrance comes as part of a series of significant improvements to the Queen Alexandra Hospital site. The company will be working alongside Noviniti –a developer with experience on the QA Hospital site, having built the North car park in 2022 – to undertake the latest project.
Mark Orchard, the Trust’s Chief Finance officer, said: “This is a fantastic new development, which will help improve the experience of those visiting our hospital site. It is another step in a number of significant improvements to the QA site, including improved green spaces. These plans will help us continue to deliver high-quality services in efficient, well-maintained, and well-designed buildings.”
Rob Speirs, director at Stepnell, said: “Taking advantage of our wealth of experience and expertise in healthcare projects, we are helping Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust to create a functional and appealing main entrance to the Queen Alexandra Hospital that meets the needs of hospital staff, patients, and other members of the public. As part of our commitment to social value, we have ambitions to spend and engage with a local supply chain of sub-contractors wherever possible. Being a healthcare specialist, we have a clear understanding of how to best achieve these aims on hospital projects, and will be working closely with our supply chain to ensure we deliver to the standard we expect as a complete contractor.”
