The UTC, which is being delivered by Henry Brothers, is expected to open in 2027.

Richard Mitchell, chief executive of University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL), said: ‘The start of groundwork on our new Urgent Treatment Centre is a really important and exciting moment for our trust and for local communities. Seeing activity on site brings this investment to life and demonstrates our commitment to improving urgent care. This new facility will support our colleagues and significantly improve the experience for patients when they need us most.'

The UTC builds on a period of significant investment across our hospitals over the past 12 months, including the East Midlands Planned Care Centre and Endoscopy Unit at Leicester General Hospital, the Preston Lodge rehabilitation unit in North Evington and the Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre.

It will complement the £39m of funding secured in December last year from the national New Hospital Programme, which will fund essential enabling works to start this year, including the relocation of services such as the hearing and balance service from the Knighton Street campus to the East Midlands Planned Care Centre in early 2027.

These works will support plans for a new Women's and Children's Hospital, with building expected to start in 2032. It is expected to bring maternity, neonatal, gynaecology and children's services together into a single, state‑of‑the‑art building.