The biggest shake-up of local health care services in the west of Scotland for a generation takes a significant step forward tomorrow with approval expected for a massive new hospital in Glasgow.
The biggest shake-up of local health care services in the west of Scotland for a generation takes a significant step forward tomorrow with approval expected for a massive new hospital in Glasgow.
In one of the largest public sector healthcare projects in Europe, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is seeking agreement in principle for new adult and children's hospitals, as well as upgrades to existing units, at the Southern General in Govan.
The scheme will take 10 years to deliver and consume 28 hectares. If approved it will constitute a further milestone in the health board's radical "modernisation" programme agreed six years ago.
As part of the shake-up in-patient services will be delivered at three Glasgow hospitals, the Southern, Gartnavel and the Royal Infirmary, with the Victoria Infirmary and Stobhill relegated to specialist day services.
Full accident and trauma care will only be provided at the new 1110-bed Southern and Royal Infirmary.
Following a decision two years ago Yorkhill Children's Hospital, in the west of the city, will be relocated across the Clyde to the Southern General, with the health board insisting it will provide a "world-class facility" benefiting from proximity to the neurosciences institute and maternity wing. The new children's hospital will have 245 beds.
The board is seeking outline permission for the upgrading and redevelopment of listed properties on the site.
With staff numbers to rise from 4200 to more than 10,000 and levels of patients and visitors inevitably soaring, health chiefs need to provide Glasgow City Council tomorrow with an outline of how to improve the hospital's notoriously poor accessibility.
This includes the provision of a multi-storey car park, enhanced pedestrian links and undertakings to improve upon the public transport links.
The report states: "The proposals are expected to contribute to a significant improvement in the health and well-being of the city and the wider conurbation as well as assist in the wider socio-economic renewal of Central Govan and the neighbouring Clyde Waterfront."
A health board spokeswoman said: "The outline planning application is an important process, which seeks to demonstrate to city planners that all three projects could be achieved on the Southern site."
