Keys to new hospital handed over

Trust Chairman Tony Holden today received the keys to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in a ceremony conducted at the Colney Lane site.

The ceremony was held in the presence of 250 invited guests representing the Trust, health and social care agencies, voluntary sector, local government and the many organisations who helped with the planning and delivery of the project.

The Trust and Octagon Healthcare were congratulated by Health Minister Lord Hunt on their achievement in delivering the project five months ahead of schedule and within budget.

Trust Chairman Tony Holden expressed his delight on receiving the keys to “a magnificent hospital which will be a cornerstone of our local NHS for many years to come.”

Health Minister Lord Hunt said: “I am sure that all those who come to the new hospital over the coming months and years will be impressed by this new building, and the support the new environment will provide for staff, patients and carers. The dedication and expertise of the staff at the Trust will be enhanced by the excellent facilities.”

Equipping of the new hospital is making good progress and the planned Phase 1 transfer of services to the new hospital will start on October 27, 2001 through until December 2001.

Phase 2 will be complete in late 2002 when the final transfer of services from the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and the West Norwich Hospital will be completed. 

Notes to editors

The new hospital involves moving services from the Norfolk and Norwich and the West Norwich hospitals to a 63 acre site on the Norwich Research Park. Construction work began on 12, January 1998.  The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital was completed in the summer of 2001, 20 weeks ahead of schedule and within budget.