THE REDEVELOPMENT of Stratford Hospital is one step closer after plans were officially submitted to the district council.
The £22million proposals – as reported in the Observer in May last year – will see a cancer and an eye ward built at the site of the existing hospital on Arden Street.
A three-week consultation exercise will now be undertaken with council chiefs expected to consider the proposals sometime around October.
And if they are given the green light, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust hopes to start building in November with work aiming to be completed by the end of 2016.
The proposals are expected to be carried out in three phases – the first of which involves the creation of both the cancer and eye units.
The new eye ward will be made up of an outpatient suite with examination, treatment and injection rooms while the new cancer ward – modelled on Warwick Hospital’s Aylesford Unit – is set to include 12 treatment chairs to double the trust’s current capacity.
The trust previously admitted the Warwick Hospital site, which it also runs, provided limited opportunities for future development to meet the additional demand for services.
It is hoped new facilities in Stratford will not only improve this but also help reduce travel time for patients throughout South Warwickshire.
Jayne Blacklay, director of development, said: “We have held a number of public meetings and worked closely with the council before submitting our plans as we wanted to ensure we had the best possible design.
“We are delighted our plans for a new hospital in Stratford are moving forward.”
Work to clear areas and build a temporary car park has already started.
And the hospital is still urging residents to get behind a £1million appeal to provide added features.
Ali Gray, fund-raising manager said: “The support we have received since the launch of the appeal is overwhelming and it is humbling to know we have the backing of our local community.
“We will be very excited to announce many more events once planning permission is granted and we have fund-raisers across the area who are all doing their bit to put their mark on the new hospital for South Warwickshire.”
Visit www.stratfordhospital.co.uk for more information on the appeal.
Below – How it is hoped chemotherapy bays will look at the new £22million hospital. (s)
