A significant milestone has been reached at Royal Bolton Hospital, as Bolton NHS Foundation Trust officially broke ground on the £38 million redevelopment of its Maternity and Women’s Health Unit.

The work is being carried out in partnership with Robertson Construction North West and marks the start of the replacement of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) identified in the existing building in 2023.

The project will provide modern, state-of-the-art facilities for women, babies, and families across Bolton and the surrounding areas. Construction will be phased to ensure all maternity services, including antenatal and postnatal care, remain fully operational throughout the build.

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Alongside replacing the RAAC, the redevelopment includes major refurbishments to theatres, the installation of new mechanical ventilation systems, and a rooftop plant. The first families are expected to be welcomed into the new unit in early 2027.

The Trust appointed WeBuild Healthcare as the main contractor, with Robertson as the delivery partner through Lot 2 of the NHS's ProCure23 framework, part of the Crown Commercial Service's Construction Works and Associated Services Framework. ProCure23 is NHS England's preferred route for delivering healthcare infrastructure and capital projects across the country.

Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of Robertson Group, said: "This marks an important step forward not just in addressing the immediate challenges posed by RAAC, but in creating modern, safe, and welcoming healthcare environments that will serve generations to come. We are working in close partnership with the NHS to deliver high-quality spaces that enable staff to focus on what matters most – patient care. It's a privilege to support Bolton NHS Foundation Trust on such a vital transformation."

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Trust, Robertson Construction North West, iFM Bolton, the Trust's estates partner, and members of the women's health and maternity teams.