Dawlish Community Hospital

The first hospital to be built under the Government’s Private Finance Initiative, Dawlish Community Hospital was constructed for South Devon Healthcare Trust.

As well as undertaking the development, detailed design and construction of the 2,200m² two-storey building, Sir Robert M^cAlpine has been responsible for its upkeep and maintenance since its completion in 1999.

Facilities and services include 18 in-patient beds, a domestic delivery suite, outpatients, casualty, a minor operations theatre, consulting and examination rooms, an x-ray facility and mother and baby unit.

An important project which saw the establishment of new partnership arrangements within the local health community, the project team worked closely with all stakeholders from the outset, particularly the Trust’s personnel.

Architects Percy Thomas Partnership utilised its research into "how to make hospitals last longer" when compiling the specification for the project. This covered issues including room sizes, materials and whole life cost issues. Sustainability and environmental matters were carefully considered with appropriate measures implemented where possible.

The hospital continues to score highly in patient satisfaction surveys and NHS audits, putting it consistently in the top three of Devon Primary Care Trust’s 22 community hospitals.