Major delays to new Norfolk and Norwich orthopaedic centre

The unit at the Norfolk and Norwich was supposed to be completed a year ago and admit its first patients shortly afterwards.

Hospital bosses had hoped that it would help reduce the number of people waiting for orthopaedic surgery, which currently stands at more than 9,400.

Instead, the number of people on the list is only expected to continue increasing.

The centre, which was first granted permission in February last year, has been held up by “contractual issues” over costs with contractors PFI firm Octagon.

Officials now say it will not open until next year.

The initial cost of the project was £11.4m but it is now set to soar due to the delays, although hospital bosses remain tight-lipped by how much it will rise.

Simon Hackwell, director of major projects at the N&N. Picture: NNUH (Image: NNUH)

Simon Hackwell, director of major projects at the N&N, said: "Building work on the Norfolk and Norwich Orthopaedic Centre continues with a plan for the first patients to be treated early next year.

"Contractual issues have now been largely resolved, but regrettably have led to a delay in development and an increase in costs.

"All staff who have joined us to work in the centre have been assisting with our trustwide elective programme and we anticipate full staffing will be in place when it opens.

"We also continue to have support from the N&N Hospitals Charity, which has pledged £2m to equip the centre - the biggest grant in its history."

It comes after similar issues saw more than £1m piled onto the bill of an upgrade at the Jenny Lind Children's Hospital on the site.

The new children's unit is due to open later this year.