Contractor appointed to healthcare innovation centre build
A £3.7m contract to design and build a healthcare innovation centre at Staffordshire University’s Stafford Centre of Excellence for Healthcare Education has been awarded to building firm Pave Aways.
Work on the new facilities in Stafford, which is home to the University’s School of Health and Social Care and offers a range of courses including nursing and midwifery, involves demolishing existing buildings and creating new teaching spaces.
The facility is part of £23.7m investment made available under the Government’s Getting Building Fund to the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SSLEP).
The programme, which is one of 11 shovel ready projects in the region, has been awarded £2.89m through the Getting Build Fund, which the University has match funded.
The contract win follows on from Pave Aways’ handover of a clinical suite and immersive rooms located in the Ashley 2 building at the University’s Leek Road campus in Stoke-on-Trent earlier this month.
Andrew Proctor, pro vice-chancellor (digital) at Staffordshire University, said: “We’re very excited to see work commence on our new healthcare innovation centre in Stafford with Pave Aways. Through our Connected University strategy, we are committed to creating inspirational and digitally-led environments that empower and bring communities together.
“The facilities will help fuel the local economy and transform the health workforce by encouraging and supporting health technology start-ups, creating jobs, and promoting economic growth in the region. Alongside this, students and partners will benefit from leading healthcare education through our new clinical simulation and immersion suites. We look forward to seeing our campus and wider communities transformed through this exciting development.”
Pave Aways managing director Steven Owen said: “We are delighted to have won this competitive tender. We have a strong track record within the further education sector, demonstrating our understanding and ability to deliver high-quality construction that meets the needs of our clients.
“The contract will provide a valuable economic boost to Stafford and the surrounding area as we will be employing locally based site staff and businesses in our supply chain within a 30-mile radius.”
