Multi-million pound plans for Christchurch hospital on show (From Dorset Echo)

Multi-million pound plans for Christchurch hospital on show

3:00pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in News By Katie Clark

MULTI-million pound plans to create a community health hub at Christchurch hospital will go on show this week.

Patients and residents are being invited to see the latest development plan, which is designed to secure services at the Fairmile Road facility.

The scheme will also provide a range of new health care services for local people which are believed to include a GP surgery, pharmacy, nursing home and key worker housing. Two drop-in sessions will be held in the Howard Centre at Christchurch Hospital on Friday September 7 from 2pm-7pm and Saturday from 9am-12noon.

Parking will be free during these hours.

Visitors will be able to talk to staff, designers and service providers about the plans and how they will affect patients.

Earlier this year, the Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospital Foundation Trust consulted on the new plans, which received a positive response from the public.

Medical director Mary Armitage said the proposals are a result of the work completed since the end of the consultation.

“We have carried out a lot of work since the consultation on further developing plans and drawings.

“We are now inviting patients and members of the public to come and see for themselves the enhanced range of health community services and the quality of the scheme proposed.”

The plans have come about after pleas to keep the services at Christchurch.

Hospital bosses said earlier this year that with less people needing to stay in hospital for protracted amounts of time and the removal of inpatient services at Christchurch, there are empty buildings at the hospital. Some ward buildings – J, K, M and possibly H – are expected to be removed in a phased way throughout this year.

A planning application will be submitted to Christchurch Borough Council towards the end of September.

The complete plans, plus the chance to give your views, will be available online at rbch.nhs.uk/securingchristchurch from September 5 until September 12.