This £305 million PFI scheme involved the transfer of all of the city’s acute healthcare services from the Newcastle General Hospital to modern, state-of-the-art facilities at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Freeman Hospital. This has involved the construction of new buildings, some refurbishment of the existing estate, as well as ongoing maintenance of the new facilities for the 38 year duration of the concession.

At the Freeman Hospital a new Renal Services Centre and a four level Cancer Services Centre are being installed, whilst on the RVI site a new Accident and Emergency Department will be created, with all the clinical support services required.

In addition Children’s Services will be integrated into a purpose built facility adjoining the main development.

The project, which is being led and managed by a SPV set up by John Laing, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Interserve Investments, is almost entirely new build, with some limited refurbishment at the RVI. Construction is being carried out by Laing O’Rourke Northern, with facilities management support for the new hospitals being provided by Interserve FM.

The final of the seven phases of the project is due to be completed in 2013 but already the multi-storey car park at the Freeman Hospital is operational, ahead of time and helping to relieve the pressure on the local traffic system.