THE Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) has been announced as a finalist in two categories at this year’s Construction News Awards.

The Critical Care Healing Garden is up for the Community Engagement Project of the Year, while the Lowen Ward and Trelawny Scanning Suite, which opened June 2023, is shortlisted for Project of the Year (£20-million to £50-million).

Critical care staff had long wanted a special garden where they could take patients outside to experience the healing power of nature. After a significant fundraising campaign and many generous charitable donations from the local community and beyond, it became a reality in September 2023.

The new Lowen Ward and Trelawny Scanning Suite is an extension to the hospital’s existing Trelawny Wing. Over three floors, it offers more space for scanning services linked to the existing main imaging department.

Its facilities include two new MRI scanners and improved ultrasound rooms, increased bed capacity for the haematology and oncology ward, eight isolation rooms, a dedicated palliative care suite and a modern iodine treatment room.

Roberta Fuller, associate director for major capital projects at RCHT, said: “Both projects are outstanding examples of how we’re transforming our estate to provide environments which are safe, modern, welcoming, and comforting for patients and staff across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Huge congratulations to everyone involved in delivering this outstanding work.”

The winners of the Construction News Awards will be announced in London on Thursday, July 11.