"THE hospital is the catalyst for the rejuvenation of Salisbury".
That's the message from the people at the forefront of the Health, Education and Technology (HEAT) Project.
Laurence Arnold, director of corporate development at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, gave an update on the project at Monday night's full city council meeting.
It was launched in 2019, and aims to regenerate the Salisbury District Hospital site to allow staff to better serve the community and support the economic development of the city.
The project will focus on health, education, and technology / life sciences and the environment, with sustainability at the forefront.
It hopes to combine new facilities with expanded education, training and research and development.
Read more: Salisbury District Hospital - Plans to build new 24-bed ward
'We [Salisbury Hospital] have to raise our game'
It's purpose is also to equip the hospital for its future and enable its growth, and to help the hospital thrive and succeed, with the resources to attract and retain talented people and the ability to create independent revenues.
Mr Arnold says "the hospital urgently needs reconfiguration and regeneration to meet challenges of 21st-century healthcare".
Plans include a new elective care centre to replace the existing day centre unit, a maternity and neonatal intensive care suite and cancer unit, and a new rehabilitation and accommodation for people with dementia.
There are also big ambitions to increase the amount of usable green space on the site from what is currently around three per cent to thirty per cent.
The project also aims to ake an innovative approach to transport, aim to reduce the reliance of cars, prioritise active travel and reduce single-occupancy vehicle use.
There will be no increase in current on-site parking provision, and buses will be prioritised where possible.
The hospital will work with Salisbury Reds to make R1 bus service "as reliable and efficient as possible", as well as optimising the use of the Britford Park and Ride site.
Hospital staff will also get a "substantial reduction" in fares on Salisbury Reds buses.
What's next?
The project will be divided into a series of phases, subject to funding.
Pre-application planning submitted for phase one was submitted in May, and a detailed application for phase one is expected to be submitted in early 2023.
The outline planning application is expected to be submitted in 2023/2024 for the overall master plan.
For more information go to heatprojectsalisbury.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel