DESIGN PROGRESS

January has seen an intensive series of meetings between hospital staff from all departments and the design team. We are aiming to complete the medical planning element of the stage 1 design for the new hospital by 31^st January 2005. This will enable the other disciplines in the design team (i.e. the engineers and architects who are designing the structural aspects of the building) to finalise their elements of the initial design leading to completion of all aspects of the stage 1 design process in February. Further details will be provided in next month’s update.

The earlier concept plans remain on display in the dining room in the Downe Hospital. As described in November’s update the design development process has inevitably lead to refinements of the concept plans. As soon as the medical planning element of stage 1 is complete copies of the revised plans will be widely circulated. It is hoped that they will be displayed in GP waiting rooms, public libraries, local secondary schools and the council offices.

If anyone reading this update has suggestions for other locations for displaying the plans please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Project Team.

SITE HOARDING

The site hoarding has been completed and a unique sign board has been erected on the southern side of the site boundary, facing the Ardglass Road. The sign board was designed specifically for this project and as well as listing the key organisations involved in the project it features a silhouette of the existing Downshire Hospital building to emphasise the importance of the relationship between the existing site and the new building. In addition, the centre section of the sign board will change periodically during the project to reflect the progress on-site.

Unfortunately, the hoarding has already been daubed with graffiti on several occasions since it was erected. The Trust would appreciate the assistance everyone in the community in discouraging this type of activity.

SITE CLEARANCE & DEMOLITION

Following submissions of expressions of interest, seven firms have been shortlisted to tender for the contract for demolition of existing buildings on the new hospital site. The tender documents were issued to these seven firms during the week beginning 10^th January 2005. The closing date for return of completed tenders is 7^th February 2005.

Demolition work is scheduled to commence on 28^th February 2005 and is scheduled for completion in mid-June 2005.

AMBULANCE STATION

Preparatory work is now underway to re-locate the Downpatrick Ambulance Station from the maternity hospital site to a site next to Mountview Adult Resource Centre on the Flying Horse Road. An application for planning permission to re-locate the temporary building was made to the Planning Service on 16^th December 2004. To facilitate the move, Ambulance Service staff will move temporarily to the Cherry Valley building on the Downshire site.

PLANNING

As part of the process of obtaining full planning permission for the new hospital, the Trust and the Design Team are engaging with all of the required statutory bodies on an on-going basis. A meeting was held with the Principal Conservation Architect from the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) on 24^th November 2004 to discuss the design development process to-date with particular reference to the relationship between the new hospital and the existing Downshire Hospital building. The discussion was illustrated by use of an architect’s model of the initial design concept.

These discussions with EHS were very positive indeed. The Trust and the design team were commended on the approach taken to-date and were advised that EHS are content that the building envisaged in the concept design will not in any way detract from the existing Downshire Hospital. We were further advised that from a building conservation perspective the proposal is entirely in keeping with the context of the Downshire site.

ADDENDUM TO THE OUTLINE BUSINESS CASE

An addendum to the Outline Business Case was submitted to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSS&PS) on 19^th January 2005 following its approval by Trust Board. The addendum seeks additional capital funding of £4.15 million for the following departments which have been added to the hospital since approval was granted in January 2004:

VISIT BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARY

Mr Clive Gowdy, Permanent Secretary at the DHSS&PS, met with members of the Trust Board on 19^th January 2004 and visited the site of the new hospital following his discussions with Board members.

DATE OF NEXT UPDATE

The next New Downe Hospital Project Update will be issued following the Trust Board meeting on 16^th February 2005.

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