Doubts over £25 million new hospital start date

MORE news on the future of West Somerset’s planned new £25 million hospital could be revealed at a board meeting of the Somerset Primary Care Trust on February 21.
Although the trust has said it hoped the hospital could be open by the summer of 2009, the board will hear that it could be up to five years before work even starts.
And even though Government funding has been secured for the capital element of the hospital, the trust has yet to confirm it can fund the revenue side - the day-to-day running costs - of the scheme.
Minehead is one of three new community hospital projects planned by the trust in the next five years, the others being in Bridgwater and South Petherton.
The programme will run alongside an investment in a new cancer centre and surgical facilities at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.
The new Minehead hospital will have only 20 inpatient beds as against the 34 in the present wards – 28 of which are medical beds and the other six surgical.
There will also be a clinical assessment unit for urgent care, expanded diagnostic and outpatient services, a drop-in treatment centre, and a patient support centre.
The hospital will be part of a larger, £32 million multi-agency development off Seaward Way, Minehead, called ‘New Horizons’.
Somerset PCT chief executive Ian Tipney said ahead of the board meeting: “These proposals represent a very exciting and ambitious future for community hospital services in Somerset.
“They are exactly in line with the new models of care set out in the White Paper ‘Our Health, Our Care, Our Say’ last year, enabling more people to access services in their local community.
“The new hospitals will work in a very different way, with fewer beds than we have generally had in the past, but with more patients using the services.
“This will be achieved by increased staffing levels, more intensive rehabilitation, expanded diagnostic facilities, outpatient services, and one-stop shop clinics.
“The proposals will obviously be subject to detailed scrutiny, but we are giving a very clear service direction over the next five years.”
The trust board is being recommended that all three community hospital developments should go ahead within the next five years.

Public opinions sought on Seaward Way development plans

AN informal information evening is being held on January 17 to give local residents an opportunity to have their say on a proposed of health and well-being development planned for a site off Seaward Way, in Minehead.
The proposed development includes a £24 million replacement for Minehead Hospital and a leisure centre which will encompass a replacement for the Aquasplash swimming pool as well as a range of other health facilities, plus business services, and some housing for local people.
The information evening is open to the public and takes place from 5 pm to 7:30 pm in the West Somerset Community College.
The public meeting is being arranged in order to inform local residents about the current proposal for the site and to consult on the leisure facilities which should be included in the proposed learning and leisure centre.
The evening will include full graphic displays demonstrating all aspects of the project, known as New Horizons, and the project steering group members will ask attendees about the specific facilities they want to see in the new leisure centre.
Evidence gathered at the information evening will help to influence future design proposals.
A strong attendance will also help to demonstrate local support for the project, which is critical for the securing the remainder of the funding for the project.
District council leader, Councillor Christine Lawrence, said: “This ambitious project is all about positive partnerships.
“It will demonstrate the power of effective partnership working between organisations coupled with the positive partnership forged with local people interested in securing first-class health, learning, and leisure facilities for the residents of West Somerset.
“We actively encourage everybody to attend this meeting because it is their opportunity to see what we are offering, and their chance to influence this development to ensure that it meets the needs of the whole community.”
Community college principal Nick Swann said: “Local people, including college staff, have worked for years to secure this groundbreaking project.
“Close community involvement will continue to be essential to its success. We welcome all local people who would like to give their views on the proposals.”
Minehead ward county Councillor Ian Galloway said: “This meeting will explain the exciting developments that we hope to bring to the site and will give local people a chance to have their say.
“That is absolutely vital in this project and we need to have facilities that meet the requirements of local people.”
County council portfolio holder for economic development, Councillor Paul Buchanan, said: “Engaging the public is an absolute priority for Somerset County Council with regards to this project.
“Demonstrable public support will have a positive effect on gaining future project-critical funding streams, so I hope many people turn out to have their say and influence the future of the Seaward Way site.”
New Horizons is a partnership between West Somerset Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset Primary Care Trust, and the West Somerset Community College.

Planning application for Seaward Way hospital, housing, and leisure development

AN outline planning application is being submitted for a £26 million range of health and well-being facilities off Seaward Way, Minehead.
The project, known as New Horizons, is intended to replace Minehead Hospital and the Aquasplash leisure pool, plus provide additional health and learning facilities.
It is a partnership between West Somerset Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset Primary Care Trust, and the West Somerset Community College.
Outline planning permission is now needed to allow the New Horizons steering group to apply to a range of authorities for funding streams which will be vital to the success of the project.
The plans allow for:

• A new Minehead Community Hospital to be built above the flood plain
• A sports and leisure complex to be shared by residents and West Somerset Community College
• A Skills and Enterprise Centre
• Housing for local people
• Commercial facilities for health and well-being related businesses

The planning application is expected to be considered by district council planning committee members early in the New Year.
The project concept plans will be made available for public inspection and comment.
West Somerset Council leader, Councillor Christine Lawrence, said: “I am delighted that our long-term support and hard work to get this project off the ground is finally coming to fruition.
“We will continue to work hard to secure first-class, modern health, welfare, and educational facilities for residents in West Somerset.
“With local support, these plans will underpin the development of healthy, sustainable communities and encourage economic growth in the area.”
Jan Hull, interim chief executive of Somerset Primary Care Trust, said: “This outline planning application is the next step forward in this exciting project.
“It is particularly pleasing to see the way that all organisations involved are working together to seek ways of progressing the New Horizons facilities.”
County council portfolio holder for economic development, Councillor Paul Buchanan, said: “This is a complex project where the partners will face big challenges to deliver favourable outcomes for the health and well-being of local residents.
“The county council is committed to engaging with local residents, interest groups, and other stakeholders throughout this project so we can develop the best package for the people of West Somerset.”