A NEW pathology lab at Royal Bournemouth Hospital is on track to be completed as the framework is now in place. 

The £12.7m facility is 'on track' to be completed in spring 2023, with the building fully commissioned during the summer of 2023.

Mark Mould, UHD chief operating officer and the project’s senior responsible officer, said: “We’re delighted with development so far, not only will the new facility provide modern, high quality facilities for our existing pathology services, but it presents us with the opportunity to improve the way we deliver these services."

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Bournemouth Echo: Stephen Harding, Mark Mould, Jeff Kinnon and May Palmer Stephen Harding, Mark Mould, Jeff Kinnon and May Palmer

The Stakeholders Engagement Event welcomed down people involved in the project to see the building on week 16 of construction.

Located on the Wessex Fields site next to the hospital, it is designed for fast, accurate, routine and specialist testing. It will support hospitals across the region to improve diagnostics for patients and help to meet growing demand for specialist treatment and care - as well as providing development opportunities for staff.

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Mark said: “It will enable us to take a huge leap forward in how we deliver care for patients across Dorset and beyond and will also benefit pathology staff who’ll be working with state-of-the-art equipment and buildings. 

Bournemouth Echo: Pathology Hub Artist ImpressionPathology Hub Artist Impression

"The new laboratory will give the hospital state-of-the-art facilities to develop our pathology services locally. It will be a great place for people to work and will also support our recruitment and retention.

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"The staff of the hospital have been very much involved in designing the building including the facing outside, the signage and the name of the building."

"We started this project around five years ago at a time when we didn't really know if we would be able to pull it off so to be standing here today in the building and seeing all the framework in place is really exciting."