James Cook University Hospital News

THE expertise of staff at the

Tees Valley’s biggest hospital has been called on again in the building of two new hospitals in

Malta.

Margaret McGloin, deputy director of planning at South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, played a key role in the design, commissioning and transfer of clinical services on the multi-million redevelopment of The James Cook University Hospital.

Over the last four years, she has spent time abroad to help develop a full commissioning plan for the new £300m Mater Dei Hospital in

Malta which serves the country’s entire population with a full range of specialist services.

Following the successful collaboration, the chief executive of the Maltese Foundation for Medical Services Martin Attard-Montalto has requested further help on two new projects:

· A new specialist rehabilitation and day hospital at Luqa complete with a multi-storey car park· A new radiotherapy and oncology department with three linear accelerators on one of two hospital sites

The trust’s medical physics consultant Chris Walker will assist with the development of the radiotherapy and oncology project.

Leading healthcare architects P+HS Architects, which has offices in North Yorkshire, has worked closely with South Tees on major capital projects at the James Cook and

Friarage Hospital redevelopments, and is also involved with the projects.

Margaret, who was recently appointed to the Department of Health’s Design Review Panel along with P+HS Architect’s managing director Chris Potter, said: “We have had an excellent – and successful – working relationship with our colleagues in Malta so I’m delighted South Tees has been selected to support these two new exciting healthcare redevelopments overseas.

“It is a privilege to be asked again and working on these two new schemes will further enhance the Trust’s international standing, putting the James Cook hospital on the international map.

“Hopefully we’ve helped achieve a new hospital in

Malta that the local population can be really proud of and we’re keen to build on that success to help provide some first-class healthcare facilities.”

The trust has secured funding from the Maltese Government to take part in this consultancy arrangement.

Head of Department of Health International Stuart Smalley added: “National Health cohesion is more important than ever before. The reputation of the NHS in general, and South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust in particular, has been considerably enhanced by this very successful international project.”