A manor house with 70 acres of grounds has been chosen by the trust that runs West Suffolk Hospital for its new site.
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) recently bought the multi-million-pound Hardwick Manor, which is next to the current West Suffolk Hospital in Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds.
The trust has just announced it has selected Hardwick Manor as its preferred site for a new healthcare facility after investigating four options.
MORE: West Suffolk Hospital trust buys one of Suffolk’s most expensive houses as option for relocation
The buildings at Hardwick Lane have outlived their projected 30-year lifespan.
It is understood the manor house building will be retained in some form.
Stephen Dunn, WSFT’s chief executive, said: “One of the benefits about this proposal is the possibility of keeping some of the current site based at Hardwick Lane including many of the most recent additions such as the education centre and eye care centre, allowing us to make the best use of public funds.
“The trust is also incredibly fortunate to have partner organisations on our site such as St Nicholas Hospice and mental health provider Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
"If we can be based at the site of Hardwick Manor, this will mean that close relationships with co-located services such as these can continue. We are keen to develop further integrated working with our health and care colleagues.
“The vision for the project is to ensure the way that health services are delivered is fit for our current and future needs.
“We will be providing ways for you to give your feedback on designs and services. We want to work with the people who this affects the most. We want to work together to make real change and devise what is needed.”
The trust was recently confirmed as one of 40 across the country to receive funding for new build projects from the Government’s Health Infrastructure Programme.
The West Suffolk Hospital build is part of phase two of the overall Health Infrastructure Plan, with an expected completion date between 2025 and 2030.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock, MP for West Suffolk, said: "I am absolutely thrilled that Hardwick Manor has been chosen as the site for the new hospital for West Suffolk.
"Given the site is right next door to the current hospital this is a great step forward. I am also pleased that such extensive consultation with various groups took place to reach this decision.
"Delivering this new hospital - as one of the 40 we have committed to deliver over this decade - will be so important for ensuring the NHS is always there for all of us across West Suffolk long into the future."
MORE: Hardwick Manor on the market with guide price of £3.5m
Four potential sites were investigated and rated by technical experts including surveyors, planners and highways professionals.
Views and feedback were also gathered from public, staff and patient representatives, such as Healthwatch Suffolk, trust members who represent patients and staff, and the hospital union.
Elements such as transport links and the impact on the local environment, as well as room for potential growth and affordability, were just some of the factors that were considered.
As a way of keeping members of the public and patients informed, the trust has a dedicated mailing list. To sign up or to find out more about the project and how you can get involved, please visit our dedicated webpage.
For those wishing to discuss the announcement, an online meeting has been planned for Wednesday, December 16, at 6pm.
Alternatively, for those who do not have internet access, the trust welcomes your feedback via the post at the following address:
Future System Programme
2nd Floor Quince House
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
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