The deal will see Balfour Beatty construct the 8,305 square-metre National Treatment Centre, including 24 inpatient rooms, five operating theatres, clinics and outpatient departments. In addition, the company will build minor operation and procedure rooms, consulting rooms, a café, children’s play area and office support rooms.

The new facility will provide elective orthopaedic surgery and full ophthalmology services to surrounding communities, helping to reduce the waiting times for patients across the Highlands.

Supporting Balfour Beatty’s sustainability target to positively impact one million people by 2040 and improve the prosperity and wellbeing of communities, the team will collaborate with NHS Highland to provide work experience placements and employment opportunities for local college and university students.

Hector Macaulay, regional managing director of Balfour Beatty’s UK Construction Services business in Scotland & Ireland, said: “We are proud to be collaborating with NHS Highland to deliver a world-class National Treatment Centre that will improve the experience of patients through improved services and facilities.

“This contract award is testament to our expertise and experience in delivering high-quality, complex hospital facilities, having most recently lead the delivery of the landmark NHS Louisa Jordan hospital as part of our efforts to tackle COVID-19, and are currently delivering two new community hospitals in Aviemore and Broadford.”

Deborah Jones, director of strategic commissioning, planning and performance for NHS Highland, said: “NHS Highland are delighted to be working with Balfour Beatty again in developing this critical new facility which will deliver critical elective treatment for people in the Highlands and surrounding areas.”

Early works commenced in summer 2020 with completion scheduled for 2022. At peak construction, the project will employ a workforce of 300, as well as several work experience placements.