BAM secures contract for NHS staff accommodation in rural Devon

UK-based BAM UK & Ireland has been appointed to deliver an £18.6m (€21.7m) staff and student residence scheme at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple, England, addressing acute workforce recruitment challenges at what is considered England's most remote mainland acute hospital serving a largely rural and coastal population.

Construction Management reported that the development will provide 120 en suite bedrooms and four family apartments for clinical staff, with shared kitchen, living and dining facilities alongside amenities designed to support staff wellbeing. The scheme is backed by £22.7m (€26.5m) from the national New Hospital Programme and represents the first phase of the Trust's Our Future Hospital programme, a long-term clinical facilities redevelopment plan.

Tim Chell, regional director at BAM UK & Ireland, said workforce pressures represent one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS, particularly in rural and coastal locations. He noted that providing high-quality onsite accommodation will play an important role in helping the hospital attract and retain staff whilst supporting long-term resilience of local healthcare services.

Long commutes and limited local housing availability have created recruitment difficulties for North Devon District Hospital, with the accommodation project designed to remove barriers to employment for clinical professionals considering positions at the remote site.

More than 80% of project spend is expected to be sourced locally, with BAM working alongside community partners including Jobcentre Plus to create employment and training opportunities for young people aged 16 and above, and those not in education, employment or training.

The scheme builds on BAM's experience delivering complex healthcare projects for NHS clients through carefully planned construction responding to local needs and operational demands.

Access the full article to see complete project specifications and delivery timeline details.