Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust and partners are working on a sustainable, integrated and environmentally sensitive, low/ net zero carbon development around Salisbury Hospital and on immediately adjacent land.
The project plans to combine new hospital facilities with expanded education, training and commercial research and development capacity. It aims to leverage the hospital’s position as an anchor for the city, alongside its close proximity and ties with Porton Down, to foster private sector employment.
The development project offers a wealth of benefits to Salisbury including social, educational, economic, employment and environmental gains. The aims are to help local health and care services attract, develop, and retain future talent – and support the education and training offer in Wiltshire. Salisbury has witnessed a reduction in employment opportunities; it is estimated that 200,000sqft of office space has been redeveloped for residential over the last decade – but this space has not been replaced.
Salisbury Hospital’s buildings date in part from 1943 and need urgent regeneration so to meet the well-publicised challenges of 21st century health care. There is also a significant environmental toll, given the age and relative energy inefficiency of the buildings.
SALISBURY HEALTH, EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY PROPOSED
MASTERPLAN ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN © GILLING DOD ARCHITECTS
THE PROJECT
The intention is to reconfigure the site, making the best use of the hospital estate but also including an adjoining 26 acres. The vision is to create a campus style environment for visitors, patients, staff, students and employees – that encourages social interaction and has usable and defined green spaces which are biologically diverse. These will be developed in conjunction with nature conservation organisations, such as the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
The design will ensure that the new buildings respect the setting and landscape, so the priorities are:
A new elective care centre (to replace the existing day surgery unit). University-level education facilities and supporting accommodation. Maternity and neonatal intensive care suite, and cancer unit. New rehabilitation and mental health accommodation. Life-science research and development and supporting employment space. Site-wide use of renewable and sustainable energy solutions.
PROGRESS
The project was launched in March 2019 with an initial public consultation, where a spectacular majority (97%) of attendees were in support of the project and its aspirations. This was followed up with an online event in August 2020, where again the project had overwhelming support. It has also continued to attract support from the community through a variety of presentations, newsletters and events over the last couple of years as the project has developed.
The development team has been undertaking feasibility studies and consultations with hospital staff, the community, other providers and local businesses to help refine proposals. Design work for the new elective care centre is being progressed ahead of an ation for Government funding. There has been a strengthening in both Government support and the commercial market for the provision of life sciences and associated R&D space.
Working with our local further education provider, Wiltshire College, a selection exercise for higher education and training partners has been undertaken. The Hospital is now in detailed discussions with Coventry University which has extensive experience of new satellite campus development via a ’hub and spoke’ approach, as well as a strong healthcare and related research offer.
The intention is first to develop healthcare related education that benefits the hospital, but over time to expand this to offer a wider range of courses to benefit Wiltshire’s economy. The co-location of higher education and the Hospital, with available consented land, will position the wider scheme to attract life-sciences focused occupiers – collaboration is the other critical ingredient, particularly with Wiltshire Council and Porton Down.
In November 2022, the Hospital received formal Government business case approval for £14 million from the national Elective Recovery Fund to build an additional inpatient ward. The new ward will help the Trust increase the number of elective procedures to reduce waiting times for patients and will be operational by April 2024.
NEXT STEPS
Over the past two years, considerable progress has been made. This follows significant stakeholder engagement, consultant input and council liaison with a pre-application submitted to the Council in May 2022.
As featured in Central South’s PROSPER Magazine – download the full magazine here.
