Musgrove Park Hospital

Weaver Demolition was appointed as the Principal Contractor for the demolition phase at Musgrove Park Hospital, located in Taunton — a prominent NHS facility. Working within an active hospital environment, the scope included removal of licensed and non-licensed asbestos, a soft strip, demolition of multiple structures, repairs to remaining buildings, and final finishing works. The entire programme was completed within a 17-week window, with stringent controls in place to minimise disruption to patient care.

Key facts

Sector:

Healthcare

Timeline:

17 weeks

Location:

Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton

Services:

Demolition, Strip-out, Asbestos Removal

History

Musgrove Park Hospital began as a US Army General Hospital during the Second World War, before joining the NHS in 1951. For decades, it has served as Somerset’s principal district general hospital, undergoing numerous expansions — from the Queen’s Building in 1987 to the Jubilee wing in 2014. At the time of demolition, the hospital was preparing for the construction of a modern £87 million surgical centre to replace its ageing theatres and critical care units. Weaver’s enabling work paved the way for this significant development.

Project Overview

Key activities carried out over the 17-week contract included:

  • Asbestos Removal
    Conducted both licensed and non-licensed asbestos abatement to ensure areas were safe for subsequent works and compliance was maintained. 
  • Soft Strip
    Internal fixtures, fittings, and non-structural finishes were removed to prepare the structures for full demolition.
  • Structural Demolition
    Targeted building demolition enabled site clearance, with extensive care taken to avoid disruption to the adjacent hospital operations.
  • Repairs to Remaining Structures
    Where buildings remained adjacent to demolition zones, Weaver carried out making-good works to ensure integrity and continuity of the hospital facilities.
  • Finishing Works
    The cleared site was left tidy and safe, with laying of tarmac and decorative gravel to ensure it was fit for redevelopment handover. 

Project Requirements

The brief required Weaver to:

  • Deliver a safe and compliant enabling package within a live healthcare setting.
  • Address hazardous material removal and structural demolition with minimal disruption to patients and staff.
  • Achieve a clean and safe finish, ready for the next phase of redevelopment.

Environmental Impact

Weaver implemented measures to limit environmental and institutional disruption:

  • Controlled Working Environment
    Noise and dust were monitored and minimised, ensuring hospital operations continued without interference. Weaver Demolition
  • Site Stabilisation
    Making-good works to adjacent structures and neat final surfacing reduced risk and ensured public safety post-demolition.

Key Benefits to the Client

The project delivered clear advantages:

  • Efficient Delivery
    Completed within 17 weeks, the site was handed back swiftly and ready for future construction.
  • Safe Hospital Operations Maintained
    Through strict controls on dust, noise, and structural protection, daily patient care continued uninterrupted.
  • Clean Handover
    The tidy, surfaced site offered an ideal platform for the forthcoming surgical centre development.

Project Summary

Weaver Demolition’s enabling works at Musgrove Park Hospital played a critical part in the hospital’s broader transformation. Across 17 weeks, Weaver meticulously removed hazardous materials, demolished outdated structures, repaired remaining buildings, and completed finishing works — all while safeguarding the live hospital environment. The cleared, safe, and tidy site now paves the way for the hospital’s next evolution: a state-of-the-art surgical centre, designed to elevate healthcare capabilities in Somerset.

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