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HSC has decided on a design for the modernised Princess Elizabeth Hospital and has started drafting planning applications for the multi-million pound works.
The plans have been split into phases, which are expected to take a total of seven years to complete.
Phase one of the works will include the development of the Critical Care Unit into a bigger, more flexible area, allowing for an increase from seven beds to 12.
The Theatre Recovery Unity will also be refurbished, providing ten beds adjacent to the CCU which can be converted to offer more capacity for critically ill patients or to deal with future pandemics.
In addition, phase one will bring new storage and change facilities for theatres as well as infrastructure works including drainage, medical gases and electricity supply.
Pictured: The chosen design for the hospital modernisation.
"Building a hospital is an extremely complex programme and I am grateful to the staff from HSC and MSG who have contributed so far to the various discussions and workshops that have resulted in the preferred design being identified," said Jan Coleman, Director of the Modernisation Programme.
"A major capital project of this nature will act as a significant stimulus to the local economy and is a key element of the island's covid-19 recovery strategy.
"Specialist hospital development will require off-island expertise but will be supported by the local construction companies and will benefit the local economy."
HSC would like to take the building's history and culture into account when planning for the modernisation and has set up a community art project to encourage members of the public to share their thoughts on what it should look like.
Starting at the Vale Earth Fair on 30 August, community artists will be asking passers-by what the PEH means to them and what they would like its environment to feel like. Anyone who wishes to can then work with the artists to come up with a piece of artwork which reflects their feelings.
Pictured: The community art project will be launched at the Vale Earth Fair this weekend.
All of the artwork will be uploaded onto a website, creating an online gallery, and will eventually be used to develop a digital mosaic.
"We really want to know from the community what the hospital means to them - whether it be seeing a family member born there, treatment in the day patient unit or being admitted onto a ward," said Culture, Arts & Health Manager for HSC, Lottie Barnes. "All of these experiences will be unique to that individual but collectively they will help us to determine how best to develop to ensure positive experiences even during the most testing of times.
"We already know that paint colours, wall coverings and art work have a positive impact on user’s experiences of built environments and the ‘island voices’ project will feed into the decision making in these areas."
For further information on the PEH modernisation, click HERE.
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