The £28m programme of upgrade work over the next five years is part of the government’s ProCure21+ framework.

The initial planned scope of works includes the reconfiguration of the existing adult emergency department and construction of a resuscitation unit.

Kier will also redevelop an existing part of the hospital to create a new children’s emergency department and radiopharmacy unit.

Design is now in progress and work is scheduled to begin on site this autumn.

Work will be carried out in phased sections to ensure that the hospital services are maintained at all times with minimal disruption.

Kier Southern director Martin Orr said: “Kier Southern already has a well established relationship with Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust having delivered a series of minor works and two major schemes over the past four years at Southampton General Hospital.

“We look forward to continuing this successful working partnership to ensure that SUHT has access to a first-class delivery team to provide excellent facilities to the people it serves for the next five years and beyond.”

Future planned work under the framework includes the creation of a haematology day unit, a teenage and young adult unit; a radiotherapy theatre and linear accelerator; a cardiovascular ward and paediatric intensive care unit;  as well as theatre and ward improvement  programmes .

Kier Southern is currently working closely with the Trust in the planning and design stages of the agreed scope of works for the first year of the five-year relationship, worth approximately £5.3m.