AFTER nine years in the planning, work started on the new £5-million Okehampton Hospital on Friday, signalling the beginning of a new era in the town's history.
Patron of the Okehampton Hospital Appeal, television celebrity Noel Edmonds, boarded a mechanical digger and officially cut the first turf, watched by NHS staff and supporters.
The new 35-bed hospital will replace Okehampton's two older hospitals, which are more than 40 years old, and is due to be opened at Christmas next year.
Chief executive of hospital commissioners, Mid Devon Primary Care Trust, Lesley Dunaway said the medical facility would be exciting, visionary and functional and was designed to fit well into the sloping site off Crediton Road.
It will be on two levels — one housing all the clinical services, administration and support teams and a lower level, which accommodates the kitchen, boiler rooms and general administration office.
'The design is energy-efficient and will use plenty of natural daylight and ventilation, which will make the environment brighter for patients and staff,' said Mrs Dunaway.
Noel Edmonds said it was an historic occasion and a proud moment for him: 'We all know from the plans that this hospital is going to be absolutely fantastic and a real centre of excellence,' he said. 'It is much-needed here in Okehampton and I hope the construction works goes as smoothly as possible.'
The construction of the hospital will mark a time of change for Okehampton which is set to develop dramatically over the next ten years with 800 new homes, a second primary school and major extension to the industrial estate.
Dr Paul Nielson, who is the driving force behind the new hospital, said the campaign started nine years ago but really began to get serious in 1998 when there was a realisation that the old town hospitals were not up to the requirements of 21st century healthcare.
He said not only would it provide a better environment for patients and staff but it would house the most up-to-date technology so many patients could have their investigations and treatment locally instead of travelling to Exeter.
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