UK Firm Bovis Lend Lease Proposes €70B Hospital Project in Roà Volciano
Roà Volciano – Bovis Lend Lease, a leading UK-based project financing operator globally, has submitted a proposal to the Azienda ospedaliera di Desenzano to build (under a concession regime) the new Roè Volciano facility. It is planned to replace the Salò hospital and S.Corona in Fasano. The total investment exceeds 70 billion euros, including the supply of medical equipment but excluding services. The project, developed collaboratively with Elyo Italia srl and Sircas spa, companies operating in plant engineering, management, and maintenance, envisages the complete reconstruction of a new unit with 122 beds, primarily dedicated to rehabilitation and dialysis, over a 26-year period. All ancillary services will be provided, including maintenance, cleaning, and hospitality, while purely healthcare activities are excluded. The operation was devised with legal support from Federico Scotti of Coudert Brothers in Milan, who handled the legal aspects, and technical input from Ferrari studio in Levata (Curtatone). The promoters have also been assisted by the consulting firm Mazars & Guerani. The financial plan was certified by Crediop.
Assessments and approvals
According to Article 37 of Merloni ter, by October 31, the Lombardy Region and the Azienda ospedaliera di Desenzano are expected to express their evaluations. If the feedback is positive, the process will proceed to the final tender. Last year, Bovis Lend Lease submitted a plan for the partial renovation and expansion of a wing of Spedali Civili Riuniti di Brescia, with subsequent concession management. This was the first project approved in Italy under Merloni ter (regional council resolution dated May 18). Now, an attempt to repeat the success.
The British company is a giant involved in major projects worldwide: the twin towers of Kuala Lumpur, the new conference hall for the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the airport terminal in Palma de Mallorca, and the Oakland international airport in the USA, hospitals in Brisbane, Australia, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to name a few.
In recent days, the Roè Volciano municipal council approved the new hospital, setting several conditions: assured financial coverage, definite completion timelines, no direct or indirect costs on the municipality, transportation infrastructure not to burden the local roads but to be independent, and solutions to environmental integration issues. The resolution was approved with 13 votes in favor, two opposed (Luigi Roscia, Marco Quaranta), and two abstentions (Clelia Mascoli, Mario Apollonio).
«The Fasano and Salò structures are dilapidated and no longer suitable to ensure the quality of services and safety levels required by current regulations,» stated Giovanni Momoli, a doctor and external assessor.
The proposal includes the creation of 160 beds, distributed as follows: Orthopedics, Cardiology, and Geriatrics for the Rehabilitation Center; Oncology and Hospice for long-term care; Dialysis; Laboratories and Blood Collection Center; Diagnostic Imaging (X-rays, mammography, CT, ultrasounds); and outpatient clinics for Primary Intervention.
«We shouldn’t debate the project,» added Massimo Ronchi, the mayor, «but only declare whether or not we are willing to host the facility.» The former mayor Giuliano Scarpellini emphasized: «It is necessary to create long-term care beds because there are no suitable facilities for these conditions.» Lorenzo Gabrieli added: «If the ASl (Local Health Authority) does not provide the necessary guarantees, the municipality could oppose the amendment to the town planning scheme.» Group leader Gianvittorio Pelizzari expressed support for the initiative.
The opposition minorities. Clelia Mascoli: «Gavardo and Salò are unable to provide adequate services. It would be more appropriate to upgrade existing structures. Roè is the least suitable location, as the territory is already urbanized. Furthermore, additional facilities will be needed to support the families of patients. A future referendum could be organized.» Luigi Roscia: «It’s difficult not to want the new hospital. However, doubts remain regarding its significant impact on the area. Also, the timelines for completion are unclear. I hope that modern and efficient outpatient services will be established, rather than it becoming a dull area where mostly non-Brescian citizens (90%) will be treated.»