As I was born in St Helier Hospital it has special significance for me so I am so pleased that the much needed investment to rebuilt and upgrade this facility is to go ahead. I hope that this redevelopment will mark the start of a new phase in healthcare provision in this area, and that we will see the harnessing of new diagnostic and treatment regimes that will truly bring better healthcare closer to home.
The funding will mean that almost a third of the current site will be demolished and replace with a brand new building, which will house the majority of the hospital’s wards and clinics. More than 50% of the 346 beds in the new building will be single rooms. The building will include a local care centre costing £17m, purpose build outpatient facilities and a new pharmacy.
In addition, nearly £40million will be spent on upgrading the remainder of the 70 year d site, including opening a centralised eye clinic and refurbishing wards which will not be moving into the new building.
A new decked car park is also included. The press release from the NHS says that it will make it easier for patients, visitors and staff to park. I certainly hope it will make it cheaper, as the cost of parking was raised with me by residents responding to my survey on local health services. Most people who responded said it was too expensive.
