England is in desperate need of vital new healthcare facilities, and as of 2025, a brand new building with a whole host of amenities has been completed for the people of Luton and Dunstable. Procured through the Crown Commercial Services Framework, we were appointed to design and construct new clinical buildings, including high-tech facilities for maternity, neonatal, theatres and critical care services, at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. The new space will significantly enhance delivery for staff and enable more patients to receive life-saving care and treatment. This building is set to support the NHS to treat patients, and we utilised all of our healthcare experience to ensure we delivered a stand-out new hospital building.
New clinical buildings spanning
16,700m2
Waste diverted from landfill
21,506.42 t
Apprenticeship weeks
991
New spaces to support patient outcomes
The new acute services block and ward block houses a delivery suite, a midwifery-led birthing unit, a neonatal intensive care unit with parent accommodation, an ambulatory surgical unit to support day case surgery, theatre suites and a critical care unit. A new five-storey link building will house three passenger lifts and blend the new acute services and ward block with the existing hospital.
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"We are delighted to be working with Kier as our contractor to deliver the Acute Services Block and New Ward Block. The commitment and dedication from all involved to ensure the project stays on track and progresses has been astounding. These buildings will provide modern facilities, allowing our teams to continue delivering excellent care to the local community."
Melanie Banks, Director of Redevelopment and Strategic Planning at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Sustainability
The project showcases Kier’s strength in sustainability and pre-fabrication. Low-carbon concrete was used in the building frame and floor slabs, while some building components (including internal staircases with balustrades, pipework support and washroom panels) were prefabricated off-site to reduce vehicle movements and carbon emissions. Electrically powered plant and machinery, including tower cranes and 360-degree dumper trucks, were also used. The build won silver in the Considerate Constructor Scheme National Awards in 2024.
A good neighbour; we're a responsible contractor
The new buildings - which are located in the centre of the hospital - were delivered in a live environment, with neighbouring clinical blocks continuing to operate throughout the build programme. Ensuring that care continued uninterrupted, irrespective of building works, was of upmost importance.
The hospital is surrounded on all four sides by residential buildings, making meticulous planning essential to ensure minimal disruption to residents, staff and patients. Kier also delivered environmental and social value commitments as part of the project, in partnership with its supply chain. As well as creating new full-time job opportunities, apprenticeships and work experience placements, the project provided environmental education to subcontractors on site and hosted mental and wellbeing campaigns for staff and subcontractors.
During public consultation Kier supported Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT) by attending consultation meetings and producing a Live Environment animation which outlined the proposed approach to delivering works safely on site. This tool has been invaluable for effective engagement both with Trust staff and the public, helping to foster a shared understanding of the development’s potential impact. Throughout the works we ensured ‘Business as Usual’ for staff, patients and visitors to this busy hospital site. A robust logistics methodology ensured that we maintained hospital operations throughout, prioritising the safety and well-being of patients in adjacent units.
Kier also delivered the Luton DART project, a new state-of-the-art guided mass passenger transit system that links the airport terminal building to Luton Airport Parkway station, in joint venture with VolkerFitzpatrick.