THE new hospital has taken a major step forward after a construction firm that has worked on more than 400 healthcare facilities worldwide was chosen as the preferred tenderer for the project at Overdale.
Health Minister Tom Binet said that work on the acute hospital is now set to begin during this term of office after years of false starts and that project is “now further along than we have ever been with a hospital scheme”.
Bouygues UK – a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction – will enter into a professional services agreement with the government, which has said the company will work closely with the New Healthcare Facilities Programme team “to refine their proposals, confirm their supply chain and price and prepare for the main works in early 2026”.
Plans for the Island’s new £710 million hospital at Overdale were approved in February, and the planning permit has since been issued.
It follows an update given by the minister earlier this year, in which he revealed that “spade in the ground” works, including site clearance, water and electricity diversions and development works, had already commenced at Overdale and would continue in preparation for the arrival of the selected contractor.
The government has stated that, to secure “the best possible main works contract”, a reserved tenderer has also been confirmed.
“This ensures commerciality and resilience should it not be possible to agree final contract terms with the preferred tenderer,” the statement added.
Additionally, Ashbe Construction has been awarded the development works contract to erect the hoardings and start work on preparing the site ahead of groundworks, alongside local subcontractors and construction professionals.
In the next phase, the New Healthcare Facilities team will work closely with Bouygues UK to secure the best possible commercial outcome for Islanders as we progress the largest of the New Healthcare Facilities projects
health minister tom binet
Deputy Binet said: “Not only is work continuing at the Overdale site, but the acute hospital has also received its planning permit, which is critically timed to support the final stages of the procurement process for appointing a main works delivery partner.”
Deputy Binet continued: “The selection of Bouygues UK as the preferred tenderer follows a year of meticulous work.
“In the next phase, the New Healthcare Facilities team will work closely with Bouygues UK to secure the best possible commercial outcome for Islanders as we progress the largest of the New Healthcare Facilities projects.”
The minister added: “Our aim is to reach agreement on the main works contract early next year and begin construction of the new acute hospital as soon as possible thereafter.
“All of this progress gives me complete confidence that the conditions are in place for the acute hospital to be underway during the term of this Council of Ministers, meeting our Common Strategic Priority commitment.”
Deputy Binet also noted that potential suppliers for the acute hospital works “will be interested in talking to Bouygues UK and the NHFP team” and explained that ‘Meet the Buyer’ events would be held to help facilitate this.
“The New Healthcare Facilities Programme has already created opportunities for the local market, and I look forward to these events playing a constructive role in continuing to support it,” he said.
Philippe Bernard, chair and chief executive at Bouygues UK, said the firm was “delighted” to have been selected as preferred tenderer.
“We look forward to bringing our international healthcare expertise and commitment to excellence to Jersey,” he said.
“Through our support for local employment, working with Island suppliers and businesses, and investing in skills and workforce development, we aim to create long-term benefits that will endure well beyond the construction phase.”
Mr Bernard described the new hospital as “a significant investment in the Island’s future”.
“We are excited to be selected for this final phase of the procurement as the preferred tenderer,” he added.
“We look forward to demonstrating how we can deliver lasting social value, long-term benefits for Jersey’s people and a world-class healthcare facility for the community.”
Bouygues Construction has worked on over 400 healthcare projects worldwide and Bouygues UK is currently delivering Oriel, a 47,000 square-metre integrated eye care, research and education centre for Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
