Chesterfield’s multi-award-winning Emergency Department (ED)

Chesterfield Hospital’s Emergency Department continues to win awards – this time with a ‘highly commended’ at the Constructing Excellence East Midlands awards, which recognise exceptional and innovative designs that have made a positive social impact.

The £27m state-of-the-art Emergency Department, which was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal on 12 July last year, was shortlisted in two separate categories in the East Midlands region: Integration and Collaborative Working, and Building Project of the Year.

Constructing Excellence is a membership organisation that exists to drive a better construction sector and an improved built environment through innovation, best practice and collaboration. The awards, which are judged by a panel of industry experts, are designed to showcase how organisations are living the Constructing Excellence principles.

Dr Hal Spencer, Chief Executive of the Trust said:” We are delighted to receive this award, alongside our construction partners - DSFS and IHP (the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine). A lot of hard work and dedication went into the build of our ED, and it is a good example of putting our patients at the centre of everything we do. With an innovative approach to patient flow, highly specialised equipment, ultra-modern technology and a fresh and bright interior – even using locally sourced artwork. We are very proud of our exceptional ED and equally proud of all the people who work in the department to look after our patients.”

This is not the first time Chesterfield’s ED has won an award – it also scoped the ‘Best Interior Design category’ in the national ‘Building Better Healthcare Awards’ in November 2023.

Adrian Leigh, Senior Project Manager for Integrated Health Projects (the Trust’s construction partner), said: “It is real kudos for us and the Trust to have been shortlisted for an award by Constructing Excellence East Midlands. The fact that we have been highlighted for Integration and Collaborative Working is a positive reflection on the close working relationship between all partners involved, to create this unique construction. From involving the people that would be working in the new ED to the people using it, getting this award one year on from delivery is amazing validation for all the hard work that went into making Chesterfield’s ED the best it could be.”