Work has started on the refurbishment of the main entrance at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust has commissioned Stepnell to deliver the 12-month entrance extension project, which  includes the creation of a new accessible toilet and changing spaces, a lecture theatre, and a new M&S Food store and clothing store. 

Rob Speirs, director at Stepnell, said: “Taking advantage of our wealth of experience and expertise in healthcare projects, we are helping Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust to create a functional and appealing main entrance to the Queen Alexandra hospital that meets the needs of hospital staff, patients, and members of the public.

“As part of our commitment to social value, we have ambitions to spend and engage with a local supply chain of subcontractors wherever possible.

We are helping Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust to create a functional and appealing main entrance to the Queen Alexandra hospital that meets the needs of hospital staff, patients, and members of the public

“And, being a healthcare specialist, we have a clear understanding of how to best achieve these aims on hospital projects and will be working closely with our supply chain to ensure we deliver to the standard we expect as a complete contractor.” 

To accommodate the works taking place on the live hospital site, Stepnell has created a temporary side entrance and erected hoardings around the area of construction, closing the main door at the existing entrance.

Stepnell’s works to the main entrance comes as part of a series of significant improvements to the Queen Alexandra Hospital site.

Mark Orchard, chief finance officer at the trust, said: “This is a fantastic new development which will help improve the experience of those visiting our hospital site and it is another step in a number of significant improvements to the site, including improved green spaces.

“These plans will help us continue to deliver high-quality services in efficient, well-maintained, and well-designed buildings.”

Stepnell and the trust will be delivering the project alongside Noviniti, a developer with experience delivering on the QA Hospital site, having built the North carpark in 2022.