Media release

Plans for a new community hospital in South Bristol, and for the redevelopment of Cossham Memorial Hospital are set to be given the green light by NHS South West today (Thursday 15 January 2009).

The South West Strategic Health Authority is expected to agree the proposal for a new South Bristol Community Hospital, which will cost £54 million, at its meeting being held at Bristol City Council’s offices, College Green, today.

The Authority is also being asked to approve outline plans to transform Cossham Community Hospital in Kingswood.

The new South Bristol Community Hospital will bring together services currently provided at a variety of locations including Bristol General Hospital and the Walk-In Centre at Knowle West Health Park.

Facilities at the new hospital will include:

• A walk-in minor injuries unit and GP led out-of-hours service;
• Day surgery;
• Inpatient beds for stroke and rehabilitation;
• Dental services and student dentist training;
• Diagnostic tests;
• Day care assessment unit;
• Outpatients; and
• Therapy services

Liz Redfern, Director of Nursing and Patient Care for NHS South West, said: “The population of South Bristol currently access healthcare from a number of locations across the area and travel considerable distanced to health services that could be provide locally.

“This project will make that possible by providing a wide range of services in the heart of South Bristol and will have significant benefits for the residents of South Bristol.”

The hospital, which will be based at Hengrove Park – the largest regeneration site in Bristol, will be the centrepiece of a wider development of major new facilities for sport, leisure and education.  It is the focus of a major regeneration project by Bristol City Council, in partnership with NHS Bristol, the City of Bristol College and the South West Regional Development Agency.

The majority of the funding for the hospital will come from the Local Improvement Finance Trust (over £46million), with NHS Bristol, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the Department of Health Community Hospitals Fund providing the rest.

The next stage of the process is for the plans to be agreed by the Department of Health.  If they are approved, construction is planned to start at the end of April 2009 with the new hospital due to be up and running by August 2010.

As well as this exciting new development, outline agreement is expected to be given to the redevelopment of Cossham Memorial Hospital and expand the range of services available there.

The scheme, which is part of wider plans to improve and modernise health services across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, will also see the transfer of a range of outpatient and diagnostic services currently carried out at Frenchay and Southmead Hospitals.

Benefits for patients will include:

• access to an increased range of outpatient services;
• a nurse-led minor injuries services from 8am to 8pm;
• a midwife-led birthing centre for low-risk mothers; and
• access to a wide variety of diagnostic tests.

Liz Redfern said: “NHS community hospitals provide high quality care for people near their homes and the plans for Cossham Hospital will give the communities of Cossham and Kingswood - and further afield - first class facilities and high quality care on their door step.

Penny Harris, Chief Executive of NHS South Gloucestershire, said, “This is fantastic news and means that the refurbishment of Cossham to provide an increased range of healthcare services to people in Kingswood and East Bristol is closer to becoming a reality. Today’s announcement follows detailed consultation with local people and the NHS to look at the healthcare needs of the population in Kingswood and East Bristol.

NHS South Gloucestershire has begun to develop the Full Business Case, which is scheduled to go before its board in March and to the Strategic health authority’s board meeting in May.  The primary care trust will apply for planning permission from Bristol City Council in April and hopes to begin work as early as May on enabling works that will house services while the main hospital building is refurbished.

For further information, contact Claire Ward-Willis, Communications Manager on 01823 361366

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