Tilbury Douglas Construction and Caxton FM have signed a contract for the first Welsh General Hospital to be built under the Private Finance Initiative. The hospital is being constructed on Baglan Moor in Neath Port Talbot County Borough under the concession agreement with Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust.

When completed, the hospital will provide 230 beds, an outpatients unit, day hospital facilities, rehabilitation, palliative care, a 48-bed mental health unit and a full range of diagnostic services.

Tilbury Douglas have previously worked on the construction of Singleton and Morriston Hospitals in Swansea and Brian Thomas, Regional Director of Tilbury Douglas Construction, commented: "This is a major construction project. The hospital will cover 29,000 sq. m over three floors and cost an estimated £56m."

Caxton FM will be providing the non-clinical support services to the hospital over the 27-year period. Chairman and Managing Director of Caxton, Clive Thomas, said: "I am delighted that we have achieved financial closure on this project and that we will be working in partnership, not only with Tilbury Douglas, but also the Bro Morgannwg Hospital NHS Trust, providing a truly Welsh partnership on this important project for South Wales."

David Vinen has been appointed as Projects Manager for this contract. He was previously Business Support Manager at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust in London.

Mr Vinen commented on his new role: "This hospital, which has been long awaited, will provide vital support and medical care to the local community and I am determined that we will be providing the highest standard of non-clinical services in support to the provision of medical care."

Anna Lagerkvist