A £40 million plan to deliver the second phase of redevelopment of Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital has been given the green light.
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, plans to replace around 40 per cent of the original buildings.
Demolition of the existing hospital buildings has already been undertaken to make way for 60 inpatient beds, encompassing elderly care, step down facilities and end of life care.
The plans also include a short stay paediatric assessment unit, assessment area and seven inpatient beds.
NHS Improvement has approved the trust’s outline business case and now work will start on detailed designs for the final business case by the end of June.
The trust will hold some virtual events for staff and the wider community to find out more and gather views and feedback on the plans.
Lyn Simpson, chief executive said: “We’re thrilled that the outline business case has been approved by NHS Improvement and is a proactive step towards the next stage of development.
“This sends a very positive signal about the future of healthcare provision in West Cumbria and following an incredibly difficult year for our staff and the community, this news couldn’t come at a better time.
“The approval of the £40 million scheme will allow us to move forward with our ambitious plans for phase two of the build.”
The £90 million phase one redevelopment was completed in 2015.
