The Rosie Extension - topping out

The Rosie Hospital extension reached new heights last week with a topping out ceremony held on the roof.

Topping out of the Rosie Hospital extension

Topping out marks reaching the highest structural point of a building and can be traced back to Egyptian times and the building of the pyramids. The Rosie topping out was attended by those involved in the project design, build and management.

Trust chairman Dr Mary Archer, chief executive Dr Gareth Goodier and consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology and co-divisional director of women's and children's services Gerald Hackett turned their talents to bricklaying to mark the achievement.

Dr Archer thanked all those involved in the project. She said: "This is a high point literally and metaphorically in the build of the Rosie which we have been looking forward to for many years. It's even more exciting to see the progress with my own eyes and what a view from up here. It's a great achievement to reach this point on time and on budget and I would like to thank all the contractors for their hard work led by Farrans. We are very keen on team work because that's how great clinical care is delivered – in multi disciplinary teams."

The topping out ceremony provided an opportunity for the group to review the progress on site.

Dr Archer said: "Looking around it today I can see the thought that has gone into every aspect. It's good to see what a lot can be achieved with a careful eye to the capital that can be afforded."

Work is being carried out on the extension by building contractors Farrans Construction. Building work started in January 2011 and is on target for completion at the end of June 2012.

Following the topping out ceremony a brief celebration event took place in the boardroom at which construction progress photos and images of the recent room mock-ups were available. Representatives from the design team, architects, builders, fundraising team including major donors, Rosie staff and service users heard Gerald Hackett talk about the benefits the new building would offer to our patients and staff.

He spoke about how the improved facilities will help to meet growing demand and improve the experience for patients and their families, how babies are surviving at earlier gestations and why research is vital to help improve the outcome for our sickest babies.

Mr Hackett said: "Nothing can be more important than the start in life for our babies. By providing the care at the Rosie and these new facilities we hope to have an instrumental part to play in that to support mothers, babies and their families for future generations. It's a huge development for Addenbrooke's, a huge development for the Rosie and we will make it a success."