Topping out marks milestone for new staff homes

New staff accommodation at the John Radcliffe Hospital has moved closer to completion, with a topping out ceremony marking the installation of the roof on phase two of the development.

The new residential development at Ivy Lane is a key part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (OUH) wider project to provide new staff with high-quality homes at rents more affordable than Oxfordshire’s private market. 

Delivered by award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group, in partnership with housing association A2Dominion and supported by Oxford Hospitals Charity, the completed development will replace former outdated accommodation with seven modern apartment buildings, providing 125 homes for at least 340 staff members.

Phase two, which is due to complete in 2026, follows the official opening of the first phase in January 2025.

Trust staff are already living in phase one, which includes 78 new homes in total, made up of 12 self-contained one-bed apartments, 11 studios, 23 two-bed self-contained family apartments, four four-bed and 25 five-bedroom shared apartments, and three homes specially configured for disabled tenants.

Phase two will deliver a further 47 new homes in total, comprising six studios, nine self-contained one-bedroom apartments, five self-contained two-bedroom apartments. It will also include five four-bedroom shared apartments and 22 five-bedroom shared apartments, all designed to accommodate wheelchair users.

Representatives from OUH, Hill, A2Dominion, and Oxford Hospitals Charity – which supported initial funding – gathered on-site to mark the structural completion of the building.

Terry Roberts, Chief People Officer at OUH, said: "Providing Trust staff with good quality, low rental housing within walking distance of our Oxford hospitals is so important. We know how vital good housing is for attracting and retaining the people who deliver outstanding care every day, and this development is a key part of that commitment.

"We also know that commute-free accommodation reduces staff’s stress so they can make more of their leisure time and living in Oxford.

"Thank you to The Hill Group, A2Dominion, and Oxford Hospitals Charity for their support with this project. We look forward to celebrating the opening with them next year, building on the opening of the first phase earlier this year."

Ryan Harris, Regional Director (Western) at The Hill Group, said: "We're proud to be working with our partners at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and A2Dominion to deliver this high-quality, energy efficient development.

"These modern homes provide the right environment for our valued NHS workers to rest and recuperate. We are incredibly proud to part of a development which gives something back to those who dedicate themselves to the health of others.

"The topping out of this final phase marks an exciting milestone, and we look forward to seeing Ivy Lane come alive when even more Trust staff will occupy and enjoy the new accommodation next year."

Chris Ives, Managing Director of Development & Regeneration at A2Dominion, said: “We’re delighted to reach this important milestone with our partners Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The Hill Group, Oxford Hospitals Charity, and our employers’ agent Bellrock.  
 
“A2Dominion has a strong track record of providing high-quality homes for our key workers, with hundreds of NHS staff already living in new modern apartments following the successful completion of phase one. We look forward to seeing this second phase take shape and welcoming our final residents next year.” 

Douglas Graham, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: "We were delighted to attend the topping out event at Ivy Lane. It has been fantastic to see the development take shape over the last couple of years, and watching this next phase come together is very exciting.

"We are incredibly proud to have worked with A2Dominion to help provide these new homes for staff working at Oxford University Hospitals. The high cost of housing in Oxfordshire continues to be a real challenge, so providing affordable accommodation close to work makes a genuine difference.

"Supporting the people who care for our patients is at the heart of our charity, and it is wonderful to see it becoming a reality through this project."