NHS South Gloucestershire and construction company ISG Pearce have signed a contract for the refurbishment of Cossham Hospital. This paves the way for builders to move onto site on 1 June.
The strategic health authority NHS South West announced in March 2008 that £19 million has been set aside for the redevelopment of Cossham Hospital. Plans to redevelop the hospital were given the final go ahead this March when the strategic health authority agreed the Full Business Case (FBC). The FBC was previously approved by the boards of NHS South Gloucestershire, NHS Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust.
“This is fantastic news. After years of working in partnership with local people to plan the refurbishment of Cossham and the services we will deliver from Cossham Hospital, building is finally set to start on site within the next month,” said Chief Executive of NHS South Gloucestershire, Penny Harris.
Cossham Hospital, built in 1907, is a distinctive building with many features that NHS South Gloucestershire will conserve. The tower and the frontage will be sensitively renovated and remain for future generations to enjoy while several later additions around the site will be demolished to improve the setting of the original buildings. There will be a two storey extension to the rear of the main hospital to provide modern facilities for scanners and a second single storey extension to the front of the “stable block” to accommodate a renal dialysis unit.
Cossham Hospital currently provides outpatient and diagnostic services. After it is redeveloped, the hospital will have new, modern and fully accessible facilities from which the NHS will deliver double the previous number of outpatient appointments and physiotherapy appointments, a new minor injuries service, x-ray, ultrasound, MRI and CT scanning. Podiatry and the special care dental service will move from Kingswood Healthcare Centre to purpose designed facilities at Cossham. North Bristol Trust is also planning to provide renal dialysis and the first stand-alone, midwife-led birthing centre in the area on the site.
It is estimated that the number of patient visits to Cossham Hospital will grow from just over 70,000 in 2008/09 to nearly 140,000 in 2012/13. Most of these patients will be residents of Kingswood and East Bristol.
Once it is refurbished Cossham Hospital will provide:
- more clinical areas such as consulting rooms and treatment cubicles. The number provided will increase from 31 to 56;
- new high tech accommodation for a range of services including minor injuries, imaging, dentistry, the birth centre and renal dialysis;
- attractive areas for patients, with information on health and related services, and travel links, readily available.
- a new café area from which the League of Friends will offer refreshments;
- a new community hall to replace the recreation hall;
- better facilities for staff;
- additional care parking spaces
- more disabled parking spaces and a large ‘drop off’ area close to the front door; and
- the conservation and repair of the exterior of these grade II listed buildings.
Cossham Hospital is scheduled to open again after work is completed in early 2012.
Source: NHS South Gloucestershire
Builders have begun work at Cossham Hospital after NHS South Gloucestershire and construction company ISG Pearce signed a contract for the refurbishment of the hospital. The builders started work on site on 1 June.
Read more: NHS South Gloucestershire