Countess of Chester Hospital reveals opening date for new Women and Children’s Building

It has been announced that the brand-new Women and Children’s Building at the Countess of Chester Hospital will officially open its doors in September 2025.

This landmark new building marks a new chapter for patient care, bringing with it an enhanced, family-centred approach that promises to transform the experience for patients, families, and staff alike. The design of the building has been shaped by the contributions of clinical teams, as well as significant input from patients and service users, ensuring that the facility meets the needs of patients, families and healthcare professionals.

Pippa Scott-Heale, Divisional Director for Women and Children’s Services at the Countess of Chester Hospital, said: 

“We are incredibly proud to announce that we have received the keys to our new Women and Children’s Building today, and we are eager to begin welcoming families into this beautiful, modern space. This building has been created with one goal in mind: to provide a warm, welcoming, and healing environment for all our patients and their families, designed using the valuable feedback we’ve received from those who will be using it the most.”

Designed to be light, airy, and welcoming, the new Women and Children’s Building will cater to a wide range of patient needs, with a particular emphasis on patient dignity, privacy and comfort.

The design also prioritises the wellbeing of staff, with ample rest rooms, training spaces, and areas for reflection to support a healthy and positive workplace environment.

Inside, the new building will feature:

• Single rooms that are private and overnight family accommodation with ensuite bathrooms are available throughout the building for both maternity and paediatric patients, offering privacy and comfort before and after care.

• Beds at the bedside for loved ones are also provided across neonatal, paediatric and maternity services, allowing partners and families to stay close to their loved ones at all times.

• Dedicated, family-friendly rooms for paediatric patients, ensuring that children and their families have a private, safe space to recover together.

• Expanded outpatient facilities designed to improve efficiency and comfort for those attending appointments.

• Better food and beverage options for families and staff, to ensure everyone’s needs are met throughout their time in the building.

In addition to these core features, the building also integrates an abundance of natural light to create a tranquil atmosphere, ensuring a supportive environment for patients and their families.

Joan Carter, Project Director for the build at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Countess of Chester Hospital, added: 

“This building has been designed with the needs of modern families in mind. From the single-bedroom layouts to the ability for parents and partners to stay overnight, we’ve created a space that fosters connection, comfort and care during what can often be a challenging time.”

The new Women and Children’s Building represents the hospital’s commitment to providing world-class care that is centred around the needs of patients and their families. Whether you are coming for a routine check-up, experiencing the birth of your child, or supporting a loved one through recovery, the new building will offer a space that feels like a true extension of home.

Although the hospital received the keys to the new building today, it will be several weeks before it opens to patients. During this time, clinical teams will be moving in equipment, testing systems, rehearsing procedures, and getting familiar with the new environment. This preparation is essential to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely when the building begins welcoming patients in September.

The ambitious new build project has been clinically led, with construction services delivered by Integrated Health Projects (IHP)—a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine—demonstrating the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest quality care for patients and their families. The project was supported by CCL Solutions, who provided project management expertise from design through to completion. Over the course of nearly two years, the build involved the laying of more than 200,000 bricks, installation of over 3,000m² of insulation, and engineering of 300 metres of masonry support, including 180 metres of curved support—showcasing the scale and complexity of the construction.

Peter Dodd, Project Director for VINCI Building said:

“We are incredibly proud to have delivered the new Women and Children’s Building at the Countess of Chester Hospital. This state-of-the-art facility offers a welcoming, home-from-home environment for patients and their families, while supporting the highest standards of care. From day one, collaborative working has been at the heart of this project - it has genuinely been a joy working with the client and the wider team. Together, we’ve created a healthy, positive atmosphere on site and supported several social value initiatives that will bring lasting benefits to the community. By combining innovation, sustainability, and compassion, this building will truly change lives - and we’re honoured to have played a part in it.”

Watch a video of the handover here...