GRAHAM has started construction work on a new £40m redevelopment project at West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

A ceremony was held to commemorate the first steps in the construction of phase two of the redevelopment.

The event was attended by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC)’S Chair, Peter Scott, Chief Executive of NCIC, Lyn Simpson, and Executive Director of Performance, Planning and Strategy, Dean Oliver alongside other leading figures from the Trust who have been the driving force behind the project.

Also in attendance was Peter Reavey, Regional Director from GRAHAM, the appointed contractor carrying out work at the site.


Phase two of the plans include replacing up to 40% of the original hospital and building upon the £90m investment from phase one of the project which was completed in 2015. The new build will bring a huge upgrade in facilities for both patients and staff, creating an improved environment while keeping the number of beds and retaining services for the site.

The new build will include a pediatric ward and assessment area, a care of the elderly ward, a specialist palliative care ward, and a stroke/rehabilitation ward.

Ben Frampton, Lead Nurse for the unit at NCIC said: "This is an exciting time for our team, we have had a lot of input into the design of the new ward and wanted to be sure we are putting patients, families and staff at the heart of what we do by listening to all of their views. When asked to contribute to ideas for the design of the new ward we wanted to guarantee it worked for our patients and their families. No one wants to have to bring their child to hospital, but if you do find yourself here you want to be cared for in the best environment possible."

Peter Reavey, GRAHAM Regional Director, said: "We know that a lot of work has gone into reaching this point and our team is committed to carrying that determination and passion forward as the construction programme gets underway."