Bristol City Planning Committee has approved plans by NHS South Gloucestershire to refurbish Cossham Hospital.
“This is a very exciting time. We have worked together over a number of years to agree what services the NHS will provide from Cossham. Now we look forward to seeing the building refurbished so that we can offer a wider and improved range of services to local people,” said Penny Harris, Chief Executive of NHS South Gloucestershire.
Roy Tippett, Chairman of the Cossham League of Friends, said, “We are pleased that we have passed another hurdle. We now look forward to work beginning on the main hospital building.”
Graham Kennedy, Chairman of the Save Cossham Hospital Group, said, “We are delighted by the decision. The population Cossham will serve are looking forward to the re-opening of their community hospital.”
Cossham Hospital, built in 1907, is a distinctive building with many features that NHS South Gloucestershire will conserve. The tower and the frontage will all 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 one storey extension to the rear of the main hospital to provide modern facilities for scanners and a second one storey extension to the rear of the “stable block” to accommodate a renal dialysis unit.
In June, Bristol City Council granted NHS South Gloucestershire planning permission to extend Henshaw House in the grounds of Cossham Hospital. Work began on Henshaw House in August. The services in the main building will be provided from Henshaw House whilst the main building work is ongoing. Henshaw House will be demolished once the services have returned to the main building.
Cossham Hospital currently provides some outpatient and scanning services. After the redevelopment, the community facility will deliver a wider range of services including double the number of outpatient appointments, a new minor injuries service, X-Ray, ultrasound, MRI and CT scanning, double the number of physiotherapy appointments, other therapy services such as audiology and podiatry, a new renal dialysis satellite unit and the first stand-alone, midwife-led birthing centre in South Gloucestershire and Bristol.
The milestones are as follows:
- Work starts on Henshaw House: August 2009
- Response to planning application expected: September 2009
- Final NHS approval January: 2010
- Services open in Henshaw House From January: 2009
- Work starts on main building February: 2010
- Renal dialysis opens: March 2011
- Main hospital re-opens September: 2011
Source: NHS South Gloucestershire
