Agenda item

17.1     The Committee considered a report on the ESHT Building for our Future Hospital Redevelopment Programme which covered a range of capital developments and plans for hospital redevelopment at ESHT as part of the Government’s New Hospitals Programme.

17.2     The Committee asked if ESHT were likely to receive a decision on the business cases and future investment as part of the New Hospitals Programme ahead of a General Election.

17.3     Tracey Rose, ESHT Programme Director Building for our Future – Hospital Redevelopment, answered that ESHT hoped to receive a decision before the next General Election and were working to submit the business cases at the earliest opportunity to help secure any investment.

17.4     The Committee asked for clarification on whether there would be a newly built hospital at Eastbourne as part of the programme.

17.5     Tracey Rose confirmed that ESHT were working with New Hospital Programme to explore different options, which included the possibility of a newly built hospital. Joe Chadwick-Bell, ESHT Chief Executive, added that the Trust were engaged in live discussions to produce a business case and were considering a range of options as would be expected as part of that process. Chris Hodgson, ESHT Director of Estates and Facilities, added that whatever option was eventually progressed there would be additional investment.

17.6     The Committee asked what plans there were to expand parking at the Bexhill Hospital, including the provision of more disabled parking bays.

17.7     Chris Hodgson confirmed that in addition to building works commencing in October 2023, there would be additional car parking facilities on the Bexhill site. The provision of parking would come in the next calendar year once the main scheme was close to completion. Chris confirmed he would look further into the provision of disabled bays ahead of works beginning.

17.8     The Committee asked for an update on the recruitment of a transport liaison officer in Bexhill.

17.9     Chris Hodgson confirmed that there was nothing to update but would come back with more information.

17.10   The Committee asked for an update on works at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings and reassurance on the future provision of services at that site.

17.11   Joe Chadwick-Bell recognised potential concerns for people in Hastings when much of the focus remained on Eastbourne, but emphasised there was significant investment going into the Conquest. There were currently no plans to move any further services away from the Conquest and it remained a central site for a number acute services. Chris Hodgson, confirmed that the first stages of the Building for our Future programme were investment for business cases at Conquest, including two clinical departments and a multi-storey carpark. There had also been substantial recent capital funding allocated to Conquest for internal upgrades and refurbishment work which was often less visible. This has included two new MRI scanners and four new operating theatres. Chris offered to show interested members of the Committee around the site to help understand works that had taken place.

17.12   The Committee asked if future new developments were likely to consider modular constructions.

17.13   Chris Hodgson answered that all construction methods had a time and a place, but that the Trust did continue to use traditional building methods, and the most appropriate building method would be use for the particular development.

17.14   The Committee asked when funding coming for the Conquest business cases was likely to be confirmed and when development would subsequently commence.

17.15   Tracey Rose answered that ESHT hoped that it would have a decision on business cases by the next financial year. She added that planning permission for the car park at Conquest had already been secured.

17.16   The Committee asked for assurance that any work at Eastbourne would meet the definition of a ‘new hospital’.

17.17   Tracey Rose confirmed that as part of the New Hospital Programme the work done at Eastbourne would meet the definition of a new hospital.

17.18   The Committee asked if ESHT had a sense of the investment that would likely be provided through the New Hospitals Programme.

17.19   Tracey Rose answered that it was not possible to confirm the amount of investment, but was happy to return to HOSC when there was greater certainty on the funding envelope. Joe Chadwick-Bell added that the New Hospitals Programme had a national programme budget, although that would go beyond the next General Election so was subject to change. ESHT will start with what they think is the best option and would not build a hospital that was not fit for purpose or suitable to patient and population need. ESHT will also need to optimise patients staying in community settings. Whatever the overall budget of the Building for our Future programme ended up being, there would still be very significant investment going into healthcare facilities in East Sussex.

17.20   The Committee RESOLVED to note the report.