Public invited to have say on hospital redevelopment plans in Hastings, Eastbourne and Bexhill

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

The trust said it is aiming to provide a new hospital at Eastbourne, new medical wards and refurbishment at the Conquest and a new clinical building at Bexhill.

Alongside creating additional inpatient wards and improved parking facilities, it added its plans include expanding 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 more than £600m invested in the trust.

The trust said more than £5m has been committed to develop plans for the three ageing hospitals.

A further £6m 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.

“While 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.”

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.”

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

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.