DESIGN PROGRESS

The Stage 1 design and reports were submitted to the Trust and Health Estates by the Design Team on 28^th April. They have been reviewed and a co-ordinated response has been sent back. There are no real outstanding issues and the final report is expected within the next week. The design for the Day Procedures Unit is almost agreed and surgical staff are happy with the latest proposals although minor adjustments will be needed as the Department is over area.

The Design Team are starting work on the detailed design process. This should be complete within nine months and will entail a lot of staff involvement in settling the layout of rooms, etc.

SITE SIGN BOARDS

The draft layout of the signboard showing services to be provided in the New Downe Hospital is shown in the appendix. This will appear on both parts of the sign which will be in the shape of a “V” and will be visible from the Ardglass Road. The Project Team are looking at the possibility of getting two large signs, one for the site of the new hospital and one for Collins’ Corner junction at the existing Downe, which would show images of the new hospital and a few words describing the services. Health Estates are investigating suppliers and costs. Planning permission would be required for these larger signs.

SITE CLEARANCE & DEMOLITION

Demolition works are continuing ahead of schedule. The stores, Cherryvalley, Cherryvalley bungalow and the single storey wing of Lecale are all demolished. The roof and the first floor in the remaining wing of Lecale have also gone, leaving only the lift shaft and the ground floor. The soft strip of maternity is expected to start within the next two weeks.The Project Team are visiting adjoining wards on the Downshire site and other nearby buildings during the demolition work to gauge what impact, if any, the work is having. To date no problems have been highlighted.

AMBULANCE STATION

The Ambulance Service remains happy with the proposed accommodation on the Mountview site. The planning application went to Down District Council meeting on 28^th April with a recommendation for approval, so the Trust are now just waiting for an official letter of confirmation.

PLANNING

The full planning application was submitted on 22^nd April and the Trust are currently awaiting a response from the Planning Service. Because of the requirement for input from other agencies such as the Roads Service it may take six to nine months for this application to go through.

An Environmental Impact Statement has been submitted with the application and is available for members of the public to see at the Planning office in Downpatrick. A copy can be purchased at a cost of £80 by writing to the Trust Corporate Affairs Department in Lisburn Health Centre, or by going in person to the Cash Office, Downshire Hospital.

ARTS CO-ORDINATOR

Following interviews for this commission on Friday 15^th April the Trust has selected Mrs Glynis White as the Project’s Arts Co-ordinator.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Project Team have visited several local GP’s to discuss communicating information about the New Downe Hospital to their clients. The feedback from the visits is that they would like more detailed information about the service model, including service improvements, as well as the conceptual design. There are concerns that many surgeries would not have wall space for a board or space for a free-standing display, however there was enthusiasm for the idea of news-sheets for the waiting area.

DATE OF NEXT UPDATE

The next New Downe Hospital Project Update will be issued following the Trust Board meeting on 15^th June 2005.

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