Councillors have given the green light to plans for the second stage of improvements works at West Cumberland Hospital.
Worth £40m, designs for a new two-storey extension to the hospital in Whitehaven were approved by Copeland Borough Council’s planning committee last week.
The new-build unit will replace an existing wing as well as lead to improvements to blocks E and F.
Alterations will also be made to the existing access and a new waste compound created.
And blocks Q and H will be demolished to create parking and landscaped areas.
Benefitting patients
The extension will include a 24-bed inpatient ward, four specialist palliative care suites, as well as a 16-bed stroke rehabilitation ward, 32 bed inpatient ward, and a 14 bed paediatric ward.
A ground-floor retail area, shared physiotherapies suite, and enclosed courtyard garden are also included in the extension.
MP for Copeland, Trudy Harrison, said of the news: "I’m delighted that plans for the second phase of the West Cumberland Hospital redevelopment have been approved this week.
“The £40m 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 £90m.
The latest design has been created and modified to accommodate the changing landscape within healthcare.
Finding company
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.
And all areas will adhere to infection prevention best practice.
Lyn Simpson, trust 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 focuses heavily on the needs and wellbeing of our patients including outdoor space and areas for increased privacy.”
Dean Oliver, executive director of performance, planning and strategy, added: “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 focus heavily on the needs and wellbeing of our patients including outdoor space and areas for increased privacy and we know that the further redevelopment of the hospital will provide huge benefits for the local community for years to come.”
The building was designed by John Cooper Architects and Gilling Dod.
Featured companies
- Companies:
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
- John Cooper Architecture (JCA)
