16 December 2021

Heatherwood Hospital, a brand new centre of excellence for non-emergency care, has been officially handed over to Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust by construction company Kier.

The world-class facility will open to patients in spring 2022 and will bring some of the best planned-care services in the country to local residents across Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire.

The 11,500 square metre hospital supports non-emergency procedures for both NHS and private patients. The space includes six state-of-the-art theatres, and outpatient and diagnostic facilities for ophthalmology, cardiology, radiology, lithotripsy, physiotherapy, urology, gynaecology, ENT and orthodontics.

Using a combination of the latest digital technology and flexible outpatient spaces, Heatherwood will offer a one-stop service for many patients and reduce the number of visits they need make to the hospital.

Neil Dardis, Chief Executive at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The handover is an exciting milestone for us as a Trust – the day that we officially takeover the building and get it ready to welcome our first patients next spring. I am so proud of all our staff who’ve been involved in the new building. Against the backdrop of a global pandemic and the most challenging times in our hospitals, it is a tremendous achievement that they have still delivered on such a major project.

“The new Heatherwood is a key part of how we are transforming care for our patients, alongside the launch of the forthcoming Electronic Patient Record system, Epic, working more closely with health and care partners, and investing in the latest medical advances. I’d also like to say a huge thank you to Kier and BDP for all of their hard work to get us to this stage. This will be one of the best planned-care hospitals in the NHS, using technology and innovation to provide the best treatments and experience for our patients.”

The £98million building has been constructed behind the site of the existing Heatherwood Hospital and was designed by global interdisciplinary design practice BDP to reflect the woodland surroundings. The innovative design focuses on patient and staff wellbeing by maximising the views and access to the hospital’s stunning natural setting.  

Sustainability has also been fundamental to the scheme with the building achieving a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) good status. Renewable energy comes from a solar farm covering a large section of the hospital’s roof and a robust sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) is installed under the car park. Rainwater from the roof drains into a nearby balancing pool, preventing flooding, and will be used to promote biodiversity in the area.

Louisa Finlay, Director of Clients and Markets for Kier Construction, said: “Heatherwood Hospital is vitally important to the Ascot community and we are incredibly proud to have transformed it, with first-class facilities that will help Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and its staff effectively treat patients.

“This is the latest project we have delivered for the Trust and draws on both our technical excellence and experience in delivering healthcare facilities across London and the South of England. Delivering the new hospital at Heatherwood has been a truly collaborative effort and our trusted and local supply chain partners have yet again been integral to a successful handover.”

Sean Woodhead, Architect Associate for BDP, designers of the new Heatherwood Hospital and wider masterplan, said: “Working directly with the Trust’s healthcare professionals to design the space according to patients’ needs and the requirements of ever-evolving technology has been crucial to delivering a contemporary facility that will stand the test of time. The design places sustainability and wellbeing at its heart, celebrating its beautiful woodland location and maximising its links to nature.”

Ascot has been home to a hospital at Heatherwood for almost a century. Frimley Health’s ambitious plan has seen the new building take shape while existing services have remained fully operational.  Patient services will be transferred to the new hospital in spring next year.