The Strategic Outline Case (SOC), which explains why a new hospital is needed and how it will be delivered, was approved by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHCS) Joint Investment Committee in October and given the final clearance by DHSC’s Ministers at the end of last week.
As a Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) hospital, the QEH has been prioritised by the government to be rebuilt by the Governments New Hospital Programme. The James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) is also part of the programme and is progressing plans for a new hospital in Gorleston.
Both schemes for the new hospitals have recently been brought together in a single, unified Norfolk and Waveney University Hospital’s Group programme. This will improve oversight and ensure that both state-of-the-art new hospitals are planned and designed to meet the needs of their populations.
Jo Segasby, Chair of the Group New Hospital Programme Board, said: “We are extremely pleased that the QEH Strategic Outline Case has been approved at the highest level – It gives us the green light to progress further our ambitious plans.
“The new QEH and JPUH will be among the most modern and digitally advanced hospitals in Europe, designed to deliver outstanding care for our communities for decades to come.”
Peter Cox, Programme Director for the New QEH, comment: “This approval is an important step on our journey. We know the challenge we have ahead, and this approval means we can continue to move at pace in our plans for a new hospital.
“I would like to thank all those who have supported the project, and especially the team here at QEH, for all the hard work they have put into getting us to this stage.”
The Scheme will now move to the next stage which is approval of the detailed design and costing plan for the new build. The New QEH is expected to open to patients in 2032.
Enabling works have already begun on the site, with the relocation of the Trust’s helipad and plans to build a new multi-storey car park are progressing well with construction expected to begin next year.
Ends. Notes to editors; For media enquiries only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216. For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
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