Plan's Green Light For Basildon Hospital Work

15 August 2014, 06:00

Planning permission has been granted to Basildon University Hospital to extend and develop the women and children’s department

The approved plans will see refurbishment of the existing departments, a single storey extension and a four storey extension for a new clinical services lift.

The department encompasses maternity, gynaecology, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), children’s wards and paediatric outpatient services, was built in the 1960s

Once the work is complete, the space within the building will be redesigned to allow more room and improve the experience for our patients. A dedicated ambulance entrance will also be created for the maternity department.

Zoe Smith, Director of Estates and Capital Development, said:

"Following the positive outcome of the CQC’s recent review, including giving our maternity services an outstanding rating, it is only right we provide an environment for patients in our Women and Children’s Department that matches the exceptional services they are receiving.

This project has been at the planning stages for some time and we are really pleased with the support that we have received from Basildon Council in approving the proposed scheme, so we can take the next step in developing what we hope will be a beacon scheme for the hospital and our patients.”

The Trust says it's hoped work will begin in Spring 2015 and the work will be carefully planned to take place in phases. Patient areas will remain in use and we will do our utmost to ensure there is as little disruption to patients and staff as possible.

It is not known how much the work will cost yet as that is subject to the tendering process, which is the next stage for the Trust.

Jennifer Ponting, Head of Midwifery and Gynaecology, said:

"Our women’s and children’s services have made huge strides in recent times and we are immensely proud of our maternity unit’s ‘outstanding’ status, and the excellent improvements in our paediatric services. Women love having their babies with us and we want to ensure that their excellent experience of our clinical care is matched by the hospital environment."