Approval has been given for phase two improvements at West Cumberland Hospital worth £40 million.
A two-storey extension to West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven was approved by Copeland Borough Council’s planning panel on Wednesday.
Phase two of the hospital’s ongoing redevelopment will see the two-storey extension replace an existing wing as well as improvements to Block E and F. Alterations will be made to the existing access and a new waste compound will be created. Blocks Q and H will be demolished to create parking and landscaped areas.
The extension will include a 24-bed in-patient ward, four specialist palliative care suites as well as a 16-bed stroke rehabilitation ward, 32-bed in-patient ward and a 14-bed paediatric ward.
A ground-floor retail space, shared physiotherapies suite and enclosed courtyard garden are also included in the extension.
Members unanimously agreed with the planning officer’s recommendation to approve the application subject to conditions, which included funding a travel plan and the monitoring fee of that plan.
A travel plan outlines how people will get to and from the redeveloped parts of the hospital.
Councillor Charles Maudling, a member of Copeland’s planning panel said: “It’s brilliant that it’s getting done and they’re spending that money again.
“It’s stopping people from having to go to Carlisle, we can treat them locally which is great news.”
MP for Copeland Trudy Harrison said: “I’m delighted that plans for the second phase of the West Cumberland Hospital redevelopment have been approved this week. The £40 million redevelopment will bring about a significant upgrade in facilities benefitting our patients and staff for generations to come.”
Phase one of the development was completed in 2015 at a cost of £90 million.
The NHS strategic vision for the hospital looks to provide high-quality older person care, which is fully integrated with social care and integrated care communities, including frailty assessment and prevention.
Dean Oliver, executive director of performance, planning and strategy at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are delighted that we now have planning permission for phase two of the redevelopment of West Cumberland Hospital which will complete the transformation of the hospital site.
“Phase two will bring a huge upgrade in facilities for our patients and our staff, creating a much-improved, modern environment while retaining our bed capacity and services at the hospital. The plans include creating a new care of the elderly ward, new paediatrics area, a specialist palliative care ward a stroke and rehabilitation ward.
“The plans focus heavily on the needs and wellbeing of our patients including outdoor space and areas for increased privacy. We know that the further redevelopment of the hospital will provide huge benefits for the local community for years to come.”
