Back to drawing board for orthopaedic hospital revamp

Published: 13-Jun-2012

New plans to be submitted for Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

Plans for the redevelopment of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) have been taken back to the drawing board after trust bosses announced they were starting again with the designs.

Outline planning permission had already been granted for the revamp, but managers say the proposal no longer secures the best outcome for patients and staff and are instead drawing up a new masterplan for the site.

The application will be a ‘hybrid’, comprising a detailed element and an outline plan. While the detailed bid explores the exact design of the new facilities together with information such as building materials, access and landscaping; the outline application asks only for support for the concept of a particular type of development on the site.

The decision comes after more than 150 people attended a two-day exhibition to discuss the original proposals for the site in Stanmore, Middlesex.

Rob Hurd, chief executive, said plans are at an early stage and will include proposals for a new hospital and a residential development, including staff accommodation.

“The new planning permission seeks to permit the reprovision of exemplary healthcare facilities together with the transfer of surplus floor space to residential use in order to achieve the maximum potential land receipt,” he said.

Currently, most of the buildings at the site date from the 1940s and are no longer appropriate for the world-class quality of care provided there. In contrast, the new hospital will have en-suite single rooms and modern, spacious and well-equipped communal areas.

A second public exhibition is due to be held next month.

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