Royal Liverpool University Hospital _320
THE Royal Liverpool Hospital is set to become the first in Britain to give each patient their own room in every ward.
Consultation on the proposed £477m project to rebuild the Royal begins today, and includes plans to hold every bed in a private room.
Health chiefs say this will shorten recovery times and reduce hospital-acquired superbugs such as MRSA.
Planning for the new hospital started in 2001 and has been led by a design group of 40 senior clinicians.
Over the next 14 weeks, members of the public have a chance to express their views during a series of public meetings around Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley. The development has received
criticism from some health experts, who are concerned about the use of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) to fund the project and a reduction in the number of beds housed in the new design by around 170.
Tony Bell, chief executive of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We have looked in depth at whether we can refurbish the existing Royal to extend its life and meet 21st-century health care standards.
“We have found that a new hospital would not just provide a better environment for patients and staff, but could also be developed more quickly and cost less to build and run.
“There are less beds but not less care, the way healthcare is being delivered is changing. More is already being provided with the community and this will continue to rise.
“People also recover better in their homes – long stays in hospital are not the best way to get many people back on their feet.
“Patients are spending less time in our wards, since 2005 the number of beds used has gone down by 120.”
Mr Bell added that, although the hospital is likely to be funded through a PFI, it will continue to consider other options.
“PFI for our purposes is the only funding available for a project of this size – it is the only way to get the investment.
“That does not mean the hospital would not pursue alternatives if they are better value for money.”
Stuart Moore, deputy project director, says the new hospital design will improve care.
“The design means more care, not less. For instance, there is clinical evidence that patients recover quicker in single rooms. It is a less stressful experience, people are more comfortable and this means they get better more quickly.
“They also feel they can talk with staff more freely.
“It will also help to reduce hospital infections because it is more difficult for them to spread.”
The development has been through outline planning stages with Liverpool City Council and will now undergo the consultation process led by Liverpool Primary Care Trust.
Over the next two years, financial elements of the scheme will be decided and companies will bid to complete the project, many of which have already expressed an interest according to hospital chiefs.
The plan also involves development of Broadgreen Hospital as a centre for elective treatment, with the Royal focusing on specialist and emergency care.
It is being touted as the centre of Liverpool’s new “Knowledge Quarter”, which includes the University of Liverpool, John Moores University and other heath and technology bodies.
It is hoped the quarter and the newly designed Royal site will be a draw for other important establishments.
PUBLIC consultation meeting dates:
Active Age Centre, Breck Road, Thursday, July 17, 6.30pm
Maghull Town Hall, Hall Lane, Thursday, July 24, 6.30pm
Bridge Chapel Centre, Heath Road, Garston, Wednesday, September 3, 6.30pm
Huyton Suites, Archway Road, Knowsley, Tuesday, September 9, 6.30pm
Oakmere Conference Centre, Cherry Lane, Walton, Wednesday, September 10, 6.30pm
LACE Conference Centre, Croxteth Drive, Sefton Park, Thursday, September 11, 6.30pm
Blackburne House, Blackburne Place (off Hope Street), Wednesday, September 24, 6.30pm
Holiday Inn, Lime Street, Wednesday, October 1, 2pm
Kirkby Suites, Cherryfield Drive, Kirkby, Thursday, October 2, 6.30pm.
