Improvements to Whiston & St Helens Hospitals

http://www.sthelenspct.nhs.uk/organisation.asp?section_id=51&navigation=3

Strategic Redevelopment Project

The scheme will deliver two new hospitals at St Helens and Whiston. These new buildings will complement developments in primary and social care which together will deliver comprehensive modern services to the residents of St Helens and Knowsley.

• The redevelopment project is about much more than new buildings and will generate significant opportunities for local regeneration.
• The Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and the Hospital Trust are working closely together to ensure that every opportunity is taken to deliver benefits into the local economies.
• The new hospital facilities will be provided through a private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme.
• The Hospital Trust has selected NewHospitals as its privat sector partner after a rigorous competitive process.
• Work will commence on both the Whiston and St Helens sites during the Summer of 2005.

The Trust has undertaken a series of discussions to develop new models of care to better serve the local community.

The new models of care will deliver greater separation of emergency and planned services, to improve speed and efficiency of services. This will be partly accomplished by the further development of emergency services on the Whiston site along with enhanced provision of acute beds. Whilst providing a new fast access diagnostic and treatment centre on the St. Helens site, this will include an improved and expanded day surgery unit alongside outpatient facilities which will be supported by assessment and diagnostic facilities. Another element of the proposals is the introduction of intermediate care beds, where patients can gain independence to enable a smooth transition back to home or elsewhere, supported by improved and enhanced rehabilitation facilities.

The models complement a major investment in Primary Care supporting treatment closer to patient homes and improved access to services.

There will be a large increase in capacity to help meet national targets for patient waiting times and an increase in staffing of over 500.

Whiston Hospital is planned to be the main centre for Emergency and more complex care with over 900 inpatient beds. Services that are planned for the new Whiston Hospital include:

• Accident & Emergency
• Neurophysiology
• Burns & Plastics Unit
• Occupational Therapy
• Coronary Care Unit
• Oncology Inpatient Unit
• Critical Care Unit
• Orthopaedics Unit
• Education & Training Centre
• Paediatric Services
• Endoscopy
• Pathology Department
• General Theatres
• Pharmacy Department
• Gynaecology Unit
• Physiotherapy Services
• Inpatient Cardio Respiratory Unit
• Radiology Department
• Inpatient Medical Beds
• Special Care Baby Unit
• Inpatient Surgical Beds
• Women's services

The re-development of the St. Helens site will see the removal of the existing outdated buildings and their replacement with modern purpose designed and built accommodation. St. Helens will be the main centre for outpatients, day case surgery and treatments.

There will be a:

• New state of the art Diagnostic & Treatment Centre
• Purpose built Day Case Unit
• New Intermediate Care Unit with 120 beds