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Miller hps has bagged a contract from Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust for the development of a new £22 million ($35 million) emergency facility at Gateshead Queen Elizabeth Hospital, UK.

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The contract encompasses construction of a new three-level Emergency Care Centre, which will cover a total area of 9,500 square metres. The lower ground floor of the facility will house staff offices, changing areas and a retail area and will be connected to the existing hospital.

The emergency unit will be located on the upper ground floor. The department will have a nine pod formation with a central diagnostic pod. This arrangement of the pods will be reviewed as a standard arrangement of pods for emergency facilities in the UK.

The third floor of the building will house a short stay ward with a bed capacity of 36, each comprising ensuite facilities. The centre will be designed to foster future expansion.

Construction is slated to begin in October 2012 and is planned for completion by July 2014.