An event to mark the official opening of Gilbert Hitchcock House took place this week with special guests Ashley Dalton MP, parliamentary undersecretary of state for public health and prevention, Mohammad Yasin MP for Bedford, and Richard Fuller MP for North Bedfordshire in attendance.

Ashe started transforming the Bedford Hospital North Wing site into a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in April 2024. The new facilities will allow patients in the Bedford area access to a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home without the need to attend hospital.

Members of the Ashe team attended the opening, along with local dignitaries, to celebrate completion of the £11.8m project which will become operational from Monday 13^th October.

Steve Cockram, contracts manager said: “The quality of the finish has been praised by our client and despite the complex design challenges faced during the first phase, the team pulled together to accelerate the pace of phase three to ensure the project was completed to the client’s timescale. A remarkable achievement and a testament to everyone’s hard work. Thank you to everyone for your dedication and resilience in delivering this project.”

The scheme was procured under the Pagabo Major Works Framework and provides a one-stop shop for primary and secondary care including diagnostic services such as MRI, CT, ultrasound, x-ray and cardiology services for increased demand in the area.

Andrew Morris, business development director said: “We’re delighted to handover yet another project for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, helping to provide the local community with extra services, speeding up access to vital healthcare, and taking the pressure off the main hospital at South Wing.”

Other projects recently completed for Bedford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust include an extension to the emergency department at South Wing and works at the Education and Medical Centres at Cauldwell House. 

As a result of the success of the project, the Trust has awarded Ashe contracts for a further phase of work at Gilbert Hitchcock House and another new Community Diagnostic Centre at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton, with a combined value of £13m.