Government unveils £132 million scheme for new NHS community hospitals and services

Source: Healthcare Exec

Date :19/12/2007 10:06:58

NHS community hospitals and surgeries to be built or refurnished in towns or cities to provide NHS patients with better primary care services, more minor operations, medical tests and follow-up care.

Outdated facilities which will be transformed into modern community hospitals are include £19.3 million to provide a new community hospital at Malvern; £20 million to develop three community hospitals at East Riding at Horsea, Beverley and Driffield Community Hospitals and £5 million for a new health park at Keynsham in Bath and North Somerset.

In addition there are also plans for a new health centre in Hartlepool which will house GP services and offer a walk-in service for patients with minor injuries and illnesses.

It will also offer additional services such as maternity and diagnostic services.

Rethinking healthcare provision

Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said that the schemes would offer local people a variety of important services."What this means for patients today is that, in addition to being treated in bright, modern facilities, those in need of NHS treatment will be seen quicker - in 18 weeks or less by the end of 2008.

"We are not just building like-for-like replacements of existing buildings; we are re-thinking the way the NHS provides care so that patients receive better, more convenient services."

The other hospitals which will be updated are Selby Community Hospital; Moreton and Bourton Community Hospitals in the North Cotswolds; St Mary's in Portsmouth; Berkeley Vale in Gloucestershire and St Charles in Kensington, London.

December 19, 2007