New hospital on the way?

7:28am Thursday 15th May 2008

PLANS for a new community hospital in Evesham have moved a step closer - but the journey will not be a quick one.

The Worcestershire Primary Care Trust board yesterday considered plans to set up a project to look at the future health needs of Evesham and the surrounding districts.

The project will look at current health needs and how they might change and although the plans are primarily looking at services they will also explore the premises needed for delivery, including a replacement hospital.

The Trust has already involved local organisations during the informal pre-plannning stage of the project including Wychavon, Evesham and Worcestershire councils, the League of Friends of Evesham Community Hospital, local GPs and a housing association.

Chief executive Paul Bates said: "We all want what's best for the residents of Evesham now and in the future. Healthcare is changing and will continue to change and we must be ready to meet future challenges. It is important for the PCT to listen to the views of its partners at every stage of the health planning process which is why we have involved our key stakeholders at this early stage."

He stressed: "We are primarily concerned with what services local people will need and how they will be delivered. As part of the review we will look at the case for a new hospital in Evesham, but before we take any decision on new buildings we have to get our services right. This is the start of an exciting journey but it won't be a quick one."

A report prepared by Dr Richard Hastings, Worcestershire's director of public health, concluded there was a case for re-developing Evesham hospital but warned a significant amount of work would be needed before work could start on an outline business case.

A project plan will be put to the board in September.

Frances Smith, chairman of The Friends of Evesham Community Hospital , described it as a very exciting and challenging project and, having been part of the informal pre-planning stage, sincerely hoped the PCT would encourage local stakeholders to continue to be involved in assessing the needs of local people and how best services could be provided.

But she added: "While applauding the PCT on this project as a positive step in the provision of services for Evesham people, it is clear there is a great need to re-develop the hospital. While it may become a centre of excellence in a particular area of health care, we would wish to see as many services as possible maintained and enhanced to support the health needs of the area while also supporting the acute hospital in Worcester to provide general health care fit for purpose and local need."

Evesham MP Peter Luff said: "This does not mean that we will definitely get a new hospital for the town, but it does make it more likely."

He added: "It is vital that the health needs of the area are looked at properly, including the consequences of an aging population, increased housing and the possible new town at Long Marston."

Editor's Choice