To receive an update on the redevelopment of Heatherwood Hospital from Janet King, Director of HR & Corporate Services/Deputy CEO at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.

The Panel was reminded that a presentation had been given on the progress of the new Heatherwood Hospital last year and that Members had asked for an update. Janet King, Director of HR and Corporate Services and Deputy CEO of the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, introduced herself and began by giving an overview of what was on each level of the hospital. Level four was the plant room, and level three was the inpatient ward containing private beds and external terraces for patients to use. Level two contained the theatres, which were laminar flow to ensure the maximum levels of flexibility in terms of what surgeries could be performed. Janet King explained that level two had been the most problematic to arrange and construct, as it was discovered during the building that the windows that had been designed would not afford patients with sufficient levels of privacy. Level one contained outpatient services and consulting rooms, along with a large radiology department. Janet King said consideration was being given to having further specialist departments on this level.

Janet King said the project was due to be delivered on time and on budget. This was despite the social distancing rules needing to be observed by the contractors, which could have slowed down the construction work. Janet King said credit needed to be given to the contractor in ensuring the project was still on track to be delivered on time.

The Panel was shown a short video detailing the work that had been carried out.

Janet King said she was due to be given the keys to the hospital in July 2021. A period of five to six months had been set aside to complete the commissioning work, with a view to starting to open the hospital for some services in the winter. Construction work at the main roundabout was due to start in November 2020. Janet King acknowledged there had been delays due to technical problems during work at a smaller roundabout by the hospital. New infrastructure at the hospital included parking/charging for electric cars, a cycle rack and a bus stop.

Janet King said it was planned to have a longer working day, in order to allow for evening appointments and for theatres to be open for ten hours a day across a six hour and four hour shift. She explained this would allow for more efficient use of resources. This change was being implemented now so the new ways of working would already be established and in place before the hospital opened. Further changes may be implemented following a simulation study, although these would be established prior to opening.

The Forum was told the Trust had engaged with neighbouring residents to keep them updated on what was happening, and Janet King said she had received a letter from a resident thanking the Trust for being proactive in their communications. Consideration was now being given to green space surrounding the hospital and how this would look.

Cllr Story said this was an important project, not just for Ascot but for the Royal Borough and wider area. He asked if the hospital would be able to accept its first patients from March 2022 and for it to be fully operational by the end of the year, which was confirmed by Janet King. She also stated that the GP hub was due for completion in November and would be housed in an old mental health building on site, which had been modernised. It had been agreed that the hospital would share services with the GP hub. Regarding the main roundabout, Janet King said the work needed to be completed before the start of Royal Ascot in June 2021.

Responding to a question from Cllr da Costa, Janet King confirmed the theatres would be handling low risk and elective surgery online. Clinicians had asked for an HDU bed for treating slightly higher risk patients; however Janet King said that patients considered to be a full risk should be placed in care of acute wards elsewhere.

Janet King said the building, and in particular the laminar theatres and natural ventilation, had been designed with lower carbon emissions in mind. A green wall had not been considered at the planning and design stage, although consideration was being given to having a green space on the roof of the hospital.

Members of the Panel were offered the chance to go on a tour of the new building, which was an opportunity they unanimously agreed they would like to take up. It was hoped this could take place before winter. Members thanked Janet King for the presentation and said they were impressed at the standard of work that had been carried out.