Health executives at Worcestershire Royal Hospital have applied to Worcester City Council with plans to expand the city’s hospital and increase the number of patient beds.
It is hoped an additional 81 beds and 141 car parking spaces will be created under the new plans, reports Worcester News.
The hospital’s Aconbury East building will house the new beds, and a footbridge connecting it to the main hospital will be constructed if plans are approved.
The expansion will be funded by a £29m investment from the government and is expected to reduce pressure on the A&E department.
“A number of enabling works now need to be carried out in order for us to be able to deliver the proposed clinical model,” says Michelle McKay, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
"These include 81 additional beds, a high dependency unit and the creation of 141 new car parking spaces at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
"An outline business case, which forms the basis for a bid for £29.6m of capital funding from the Department of Health to pay for enabling works, has been finalised and will be put forward for consideration during the summer months."
The trust plans to refurbish and build a high dependency unit in the Aconbury East building, and the new bridge will enable staff to move beds across and gain access to hospital’s theatres and wards.
Car parking spaces and a raised helipad will be constructed around the hospital’s oncology unit, should the work go ahead.
