The landmark first spades have been put in the ground as construction starts on the new St Elizabeth Hospice in Gorleston.
Members of the hospice team, nurses, project partners and Barnes Construction – who will be carrying out the build – came together to mark the milestone on-site.
It comes just over a year after planning permission was granted by Great Yarmouth Borough Council to build the hospice on a seven-acre site off Sidegate Road, close to the James Paget University Hospital.
The first spades were put in the ground on the construction site off Sidegate Road in Gorleston (Image: Nelson Walker)
Judi Newman, chief executive officer at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “It feels quite emotional. For so many years it has been people’s dreams and aspirations.
“It will be a hub for our community services and make a massive difference to the equity of care in this area.
“This is the start of a really long-term community investment for the area. There are times when you do need that admission to a specialist facility.
“It has been such a long-term ambition and to get to this point is something to be really proud of.”
Judi Newman (centre), Mark Hart (left) and Charlie Royall (right) marking the official start of construction (Image: Nelson Walker)
The new hospice – which is expected to take two years to complete and open in 2028 – will have an Inpatient Unit with capacity for up to 16 beds in addition to an Outpatient Unit supporting day care patients and providing therapy services.
The site will be a base for hospice staff and volunteers in the area and also contain a community café.
An artist’s impression of the new hospice, expected to open in 2028 (Image: LSI Architects)
An artist’s impression of the new hospice, expected to open in 2028 (Image: LSI Architects)
An artist’s impression of the new hospice, expected to open in 2028 (Image: LSI Architects)
Charlie Royall, leader of the Great Yarmouth & Waveney community team, said: “To see it started there is quite emotional and it is amazing that we can offer this.
“To have a purpose-built building to get support, counselling, group therapy, an array of services, all under one roof, to offer support to people when they are facing the worst time of their life is an absolutely amazing feat.”
Mark Hart, joint managing director at Barnes Construction, said: “It is the start of the journey and has been 20 years in the making.
Construction has officially begun on the new hospice (Image: Nelson Walker)
“It is our job to deliver the dream. It is a significant investment that is going to be busy in the coming years.
“Together we are going to deliver something that this area and the hospice can be proud of.”
To find out more or to donate towards St Elizabeth Hospice’s services in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, visit the St Elizabeth Hospice website: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/gorlestonhospice