BAM UK & Ireland has been appointed to deliver an £18.6m contract to construct new staff and student residences at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple.
The development will provide 120 en suite bedrooms and four family apartments for clinical staff at the site, which is considered to be England’s most remote acute mainland hospital.
Residents will share kitchen, living and dining spaces and will have access to a range of amenities designed to support staff wellbeing.
Serving a largely rural and coastal population, North Devon District Hospital is a critical hub for healthcare across the region. Long commutes and limited local housing make recruitment difficult for the hospital.
The accommodation scheme is backed by £22.7m from the national New Hospital Programme. It is the first phase of the Trust’s Our Future Hospital programme, a long-term plan to redevelop clinical facilities.
More than 80% of project spend is expected to be sourced locally. BAM UK & Ireland will work closely with community partners, including Jobcentre Plus, to create employment and training opportunities for young people aged 16 and above, and those currently not in education, employment, or training.
Tim Chell, regional director at BAM UK & Ireland, said: “Workforce pressures are one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS, particularly in rural and coastal locations. By providing high-quality onsite accommodation, this project will play an important role in helping North Devon District Hospital attract and retain staff, while supporting the long-term resilience of local healthcare services.
“The scheme builds on BAM UK & Ireland’s experience in delivering complex healthcare projects and supporting NHS clients through carefully planned construction that responds to local needs, operational demands and creates lasting value for the wider community.”
