29 May 2009
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed a resident of Merton and architect to oversee a multi-million pound scheme to redevelop St Helier Hospital.
As Project Director, Tim Wilkins will lead the Trust's element of the Better Healthcare Closer to Home initiative that will eventually see Ferguson House demolished and replaced with a state-of-the-art building housing the majority of the hospital's wards and clinics.
There will be nearly 350 beds in the new building, half of which will be in single rooms, as well as purpose built outpatient facilities, a new central pharmacy and dedicated therapy areas. There are also plans for a new day nursery, improved car-parking and to upgrade other parts of the hospital site.
48-year-old Tim, who's worked on a number of major hospital building projects including Pinderfields in Wakefield and Brighton children's hospital, said: "I am extremely excited to be helping the Trust transform St Helier Hospital having followed its healthcare plans with great interest as a resident and occasional patient over recent years.
"Much has been achieved in a relatively short space of time. We have sent our first outline business case to our strategic health authority, NHS London, and are waiting to get this approved before it goes to the Department of Health for ministerial sign off."
Tim has had a long association with the hospital. "My three sons were born at St Helier Hospital and it has played an important part in our lives over the years."
The redevelopment work at St Helier, which is being delivered collaboratively with Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust, is expected to be complete by 2016. Building work should start in 2012, with Ferguson House due to be demolished in 2013.
