Procured through the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework, the construction company says the ‘standout project’ benefits from money raised by the Crazy Hats Appeal, which ‘generously funded the first extension portion of the project’. Stepnell has committed to prioritising waste reduction of 0.032 tonnes per m2, and, with a focus on social value, committed to building back into the region by allocating a minimum of 50% local labour and 60% local project spend within a 30 mile radius of the scheme. Targets have also been set to ensure that a minimum 40% social economic value is added through the project. Part of the project spend will also be allocated to local social enterprises, and Stepnell will be employing a minimum of one apprentice to help provide skills and employment opportunities in the area.
This is the third scheme Stepnell has worked on to support the KGH NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with local cancer charity, Crazy Hats. Salam Musa, consultant onco-plastic surgeon at Kettering General Hospital, said: “The Crazy Hats Appeal has made an enormous contribution to breast care facilities at Kettering General Hospital by donating a wide variety of equipment and helping us to make our Treatment Centre more welcoming.
“This final donation will help us to further improve care for our breast cancer patients – and outside of those clinics for other patients as well – by providing the Treatment Centre with a much-improved waiting area, surrounded by a small landscaped garden.”
Glennis Hooper, executive fundraiser at Crazy Hats, said: “On behalf of Crazy Hats, I would like to say how excited we are that the work is now underway. We are also delighted that Stepnell is the build partner due to the high quality of its work – so we are very confident that the end result will be fantastic. Having had breast cancer myself, and having supported so many other patients, I know the feelings of dread as you sit in the waiting room, waiting to hear if you have cancer or not. It can be a lonely space and frightening. We hope that by creating a new tranquil, spacious, and light waiting room area, patient, and their loved ones will feel more relaxed and comfortable.”
Stepnell is one of eight firms to have secured a place on the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework earlier this year, which expects to deliver up to £750 m of public sector investment across the East of England and the Midlands. The project with KGH is described by the company as ‘the first milestone towards significant growth opportunities’ for Stepnell over the next four years.
The photo shows a ground-breaking ceremony held on 17 November to launch work on the new £390,000 waiting area and adjoining landscaped garden for breast care patients at Kettering General Hospital.