DESIGN PROGRESS

The Trust and Health Estates reviewed the 1:200 scale plans with the Design Team on 7^th April. Generally they were found to be satisfactory although the plans for the Day Procedure Unit required more work before they could be agreed. This work is now ongoing with doctors and nurses from the surgical department and when it is completed Stage 1 plans can be finally agreed and signed off by the end of April.

Also on 7^th April the Design Team met with the Trust for preliminary discussions about the external finishes for the building. These range from red brick on the side facing the Downshire with white render on the Ardglass Road elevation and local stone facing the Struell Wells Road. Accents of wood will be used at the main entrance. The Design Team are completing a model of the building which will show these proposed finishes and they expect this should be available for display in the Trust in the near future.

SITE SIGN BOARDS

As well as the two sign boards which have been erected on the hoarding along the Ardglass Road, the Design Team are in the process for completing the design for another board which will give details of services to be provided in the new hospital and bed numbers.

SITE CLEARANCE & DEMOLITION

The demolition works are well underway with the emphasis being on environmentally sound procedures. As much material as possible is being reclaimed for reuse or recycling with the rest to be crushed and used as infill on the site. Various features of architectural and historical merit, such as the granite blocks in the store which came originally from Downpatrick gaol, are being carefully preserved for future use in the new hospital. The Stores are almost completely demolished and all salvageable material has been recovered from Cherryvalley, the bungalow and Lecale prior to their demolition which is due to start by the end of week beginning 18^th April. Mr Crawford Bell and staff from the Downe will visit the site on Friday 22^nd April for photographs for the local press.

AMBULANCE STATION

The Ambulance Service remains happy with the proposed accommodation on the Mountview site.

PLANNING

The Trust has been working closely with planning advisors from the Design Team to gather information needed for the full planning submission. Influenced by the Draft Area Plan, and Ministerial statements in regard to it, and by new regulations regarding car parking provision in new developments, it has been decided to prepare one planning application covering both the hospital and the movement of the Struell Wells road and this will be submitted on Friday 22^nd April.

ARTS CO-ORDINATOR

Following considerable interest, as previously reported, a shortlist of five applicants for this commission were interviewed on Friday 15^th April. The Trust hopes to be in a position to make a statement regarding the appointment as soon as possible.

COMMUNICATIONS

The sample board for display in GP’s surgeries, libraries and Council premises has been prepared and the team will be visiting several GP’s over the next few weeks to hear their opinions on the layout and information and to get agreement to place the boards in their surgeries.

DATE OF NEXT UPDATE

The next New Downe Hospital Project Update will be issued following the Trust Board meeting on 18^th May 2005.

Contact Details: New Downe Hospital Project Offices 1st Floor McFadden House Downe Hospital Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6JA (028 4451 3866