Impressive new hospital in the heart of Stratford is complete
On Monday 24 July 2017 the impressive new Stratford Hospital welcomed its first patients.
In 2014 South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust approved plans to develop a new £22 million hospital in the heart of Stratford upon Avon.
The main contractor, Speller Metcalfe, started on site in December 2014 and built the new health care facility separately to the existing hospital, so that all services could be maintained throughout the development.
Patients receiving Ophthalmology treatment used the new first class facilities from the 24 July 2017, with The Rigby Unit and Café Lomas opening on the 7 August 2017.
To support the new hospital build a £1million fundraising appeal was launched to help create an enhanced environment for patients and make Stratford Hospital the best it can be. In February 2017 we were delighted to announce that with the support of the local community, the Stratford Hospital Cancer and Eye Appeal reached its impressive £1million fundraising target. The additional £1million has enabled the Trust to invest in special enhancements and equipment that will make the facility fabulous for patients as they undergo their treatment.
The building is approximately twice the size of the current hospital and houses a cancer services unit on the top floor. This area is known as The Rigby Cancer Unit, following an extremely generous donation from The Rigby Foundation. The Rigby Unit will include 12 chemotherapy treatment chairs and a range of facilities to support patients such as a complimentary therapy room.
The cancer services unit will follow the same model as the Aylesford Unit at Warwick Hospital which has seen a high increase in demand since it opened in 2008. One of the key drivers to implement these services in Stratford was to ensure they are accessible to communities across South Warwickshire. Many patients had to travel to Warwick Hospital to receive vital cancer treatment; this journey was often too far for patients, especially those having to attend each day for treatment. The new unit at Stratford Hospital has brought care closer to home and has made cancer services more accessible to residents who live in South Warwickshire.
The first floor of the hospital is a dedicated eye unit which includes 8 outpatient consulting rooms, 3 treatment rooms with associated investigation rooms. There is also a state of the art operating theatre making day procedures, such as cataracts, much more accessible to communities who live in Stratford upon Avon and the surrounding communities.
The ground floor is home to Café Lomas, a health and wellbeing hub. Café Lomas provides information and advice on a range of health and wellbeing services in Stratford upon Avon and the surrounding areas. There will also be some diagnostic services on the ground floor which will be introduced.
Glen Burley, Chief Executive said: “The opening of the new Stratford Hospital is such a big moment in the Trust’s history. Access to local health services is critical for our communities and this new facility is something we are all very proud of. I would like to thank everyone that has made this possible; staff, fundraisers and donors.”
Sir Peter Rigby said: “This is a long-term commitment from The Rigby Foundation and looking round the hospital, I am proud of the part we have played in the opening of a state-of-the-art facility.
“After meeting staff and seeing the facilities, we hope the new cancer unit will become a centre of excellence in South Warwickshire to improve treatment and care in the area.”
Denys C. Shortt OBE, Chair of the Fundraising Committee said: “The hospital is going to make a massive difference to the lives of local people; making treatment more accessible and providing a welcome and comfortable environment for patients. All fundraising now and in the future will help make Stratford Hospital the best it can be.”
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