Plans to redevelop the Dorset County Hospital (DCH) site have been submitted to Dorset Council following feedback from patients, staff and the wider community.
DCH has been earmarked funding from the Government’s New Hospital Programme to build a new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit. The Trust also has aspirations to build a new two-storey main entrance, hospital support centre, key worker housing and create an Integrated Care Hub.
These form part of DCH’s Your Future Hospital programme, which sets out plans over the next five years to expand clinical facilities on site and help meet increasing demand.
In February and March, the Trust invited staff and the general public to comment on its plans. Nearly 400 people gave their feedback, and this has been included as part of the outline planning application which seeks a decision on the general principles, scale and nature of the developments.
Interim Chief Executive at Dorset County Hospital Nick Johnson said:
“We have big aspirations to develop and improve our hospital site for our patients, staff and visitors, including a brand-new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit as part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme.
“We really appreciate people taking the time to look at our site plans and give us their feedback. We heard from patients, staff and the wider community and have included their views as part of our outline planning application, so they can also be considered by local councillors.”
If Dorset Council grants permission, this would be subject to conditions, and the Trust would need to draw up and submit detailed plans for each individual project.
More information about Dorset County Hospital’s plans can be viewed online at www.dchft.nhs.uk/your-future-hospital. The planning application documents are on Dorset Council’s planning portal.
Dorset County Hospital
Picture: Finnbarr Webster
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