East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust Could Receive £600 Million In Funding

Wednesday, 7 October 2020 06:00

By Jade McLean

New development plans have been revealed by the trust for Conquest Hospital in Hastings, Eastbourne DGH and Bexhill and they're asking local people to have their say on where the money should go.

The plans will be carried out over the next decade with the aim of providing a new hospital at Eastbourne, new medical wards and refurbishment at Conquest in Hastings and a new clinical building at Bexhill.

Bosses say "no part of our hospital infrastructure [will be] left untouched" including improved parking facilities, expanding emergency departments at Eastbourne and Hastings, improving access to cardiology and ophthalmology services, and redeveloping outpatient, theatres, endoscopy and diagnostic services.

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

Joe Chadwick-Bell, Chief Executive Officer, is launching the 'have your say' project.

He 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."

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/