A £40 million upgrade to the West Cumberland Hospital has taken a major step forward.
Detailed plans for phase two of the multimillion-pound redevelopment have now been submitted to NHS Improvement, paving the way for an ambitious plan to replace about 40 per cent of the original structure at the hospital and build on the £90 million spent in the first phase.
The redevelopment includes a Specialist Palliative Care unit, a 24-bed ‘step down’ area as well as a Stroke and Rehabilitation ward and a Short Stay Paediatric Assessment Unit, and seven inpatient beds.
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, say the upgrade will create a better environment, retain bed capacity and services for the site and improve capacity to take on additional planned operations in the future.
Ground floor
The ground floor will house specialist palliative care, stroke rehabilitation and a 24-bed ‘step down’ ward. Patients will benefit from the use of a private courtyard including palliative patients who could spend time outdoors, with their own entrance to a private courtyard. Patients receiving stroke rehabilitation treatment will also have an outdoor area to undertake rehab outdoors.
First floor
The first floor will house care of the elderly as well as a children’s ward. Elderly care will have both four bedded areas, as well as single rooms after feedback from patients stated they felt they benefitted from the company of others while recognising single rooms allow for privacy.
The children’s ward will comprise of a short stay assessment area as well as inpatients beds which can accommodate specific needs e.g. children with learning disabilities or mental health issues.
Plans also include the refurbishment of existing areas including Gynaecology services, which will include a separate early pregnancy suite. This will offer pregnant women and families privacy from the other clinics which are run by the maternity service.
The Maternity unit will also benefit from the redevelopment as the post-natal ward will now be housed alongside the delivery suite and the Special Care Baby Unit. This will offer women a much-improved environment in which to spend time with their baby in single ensuite rooms.
Lyn Simpson Chief Executive at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re extremely proud of the final design of phase two of West Cumberland Hospital. It incorporates feedback from clinical colleagues who will work in the areas and are therefore best placed to ensure the design works for both staff and patients.
“The plans focus heavily on the needs and wellbeing of our patients including outdoor space and areas for increased privacy.”
You can now view the plans on the Trust’s website and they will also be on display in the following public area in Whitehaven:
Whitehaven Library – from today the designs will be available to view at Lowther Street, Whitehaven CA28 7QZ.
Phase two construction is expected to start next winter, with an estimated completion date of 2024.
