Pictures show groundwork for BEACH building at RBH

When completed, the BEACH building will form a large part of ambitious plans to improve care quality and patient turnover at major University Hospital Dorset (UHD) sites.

The name BEACH represents what facilities will eventually be housed in the new building: Births, Emergency care And Critical care and child Health.

Artist's impression of the BEACH Building at Bournemouth Hospital

A UHD spokesperson told the Echo: “Over the weekend, a second tower crane was successfully erected on the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site as part of the construction of our new BEACH Building.

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“On completion the facility will contain a new emergency department – larger than current Poole and Royal Bournemouth Hospital facilities put together, a brand-new maternity and children’s unit as well as a new critical care unit with capacity for up to 30 beds.

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“The construction work has been designed to minimise disruption to the site with the BEACH Building planned to open in autumn 2024.

Second crane installed at BEACH building construction site. Picture: University Hospitals Dorset

“[This] forms part of the £250m transformation of UHD’s hospitals, including investment to develop Poole Hospital as the major planned care hospital and ambitious plans for Christchurch Hospital.”