Building for our Future: Have your say about ESHT’s exciting new development plans

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) has launched the first details of its redevelopment plans for Conquest Hospital, Hastings; Eastbourne DGH and Bexhill and is asking local people to have their say about what they want from the redevelopment of our hospitals.

These extensive plans over the next decade will leave no part of the hospital infrastructure left untouched. ESHT are aiming to provide a new hospital at Eastbourne; new medical wards and refurbishment at Conquest and a new clinical building at Bexhill.

Alongside creating additional inpatient wards and improved parking facilities, ESHT’s plans include expanding the emergency departments at Eastbourne and Hastings, improving access to cardiology and ophthalmology services, and redeveloping outpatient, theatres, endoscopy and diagnostic services.

This follows a Government announcement earlier this year, and recently confirmed, that the Trust would be part of the second phase of government funding which could see over £600m invested in the Trust. Over £5million has been committed to develop plans for the three ageing hospitals. A further £6million of funding has been received to start enabling works to help progress these developments.

Launching the ‘have your say’ project, Joe Chadwick-Bell, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted with the recent announcement that ESHT has been chosen to be part of the second phase of the Health Infrastructure Plan. This is an once-in-a-lifetime investment that will transform our hospitals at Eastbourne, Hastings and Bexhill and help us to provide better care now, and in the future.”

“This is a real testament to the improvements that we have made over the last five years and confidence that the Government has in ESHT. Whilst an investment on this scale is substantial we want to work with members of our staff, partners, patients and local people to prioritise where this money is needed most or where it will make the biggest difference. You can help us develop our thinking and we will use this information to develop the plans that we will submit to the Government early next year.”

“We are at the start of what will be a lengthy process and our plans will be developed and finessed over time but this investment is very significant. These are truly exciting times for healthcare in East Sussex as we plan and build for our future.”

You can have your say by visiting: esht.nhs.uk/building-for-our-future.

Chris Hodgson, Director of Estates and Facilities, said “The changes we are planning are extensive. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform how healthcare is provided for local people in East Sussex by investing in the hospital infrastructure at Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne. By creating new and improved health and wellbeing settings we are making a commitment to provide access to high quality care that ensures improved health outcomes for local people.”