The new QEII

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November 2012 update

The business case for the New QEII was given final approval by NHS Midlands and East (the Strategic Health Authority) in September. This clears the way for financial close, which is the signing of all the financial and legal contracts so that the construction work can take place.

The New QEII designers have made some changes to the plans for the new hospital which will improve the facilities being provided. These changes include:

  • A bigger outpatient department incorporating pre-operative assessment and dental treatment rooms.
  • An increased number of examination and therapy rooms to help staff to see more patients.
  • A larger lift and stair lobbies and wider corridors in a number of areas, including the child zone, to improve patient access and help the movement of patients around the building.
  • Increased staff rest accommodation with the introduction of a mezzanine level in the staff room and a roof terrace.
  • Increased car parking and drop off spaces – an extra 45 spaces will bring the total up to 345.

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Jacqui Bunce, Programme Director for NHS Hertfordshire said: “When developing the business case, the PCT called on a range of professional experts to ensure that plans are technically and financially sound and will be sustainable for the long term. The East and North Hertfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group is also firmly behind the plans, and GPs have been working closely with the project team to provide clinical input into the design.”

Financial close is expected in December 2012 and construction on the new building is expected to begin in Spring 2013. The majority of the construction of the new hospital will take place on the site of the current car park, which means new temporary parking needs to be built for patients and staff. The new parking arrangements will be complete in early 2013. There’ll be plenty of signs in place and staff on hand to help direct patients arriving for appointments. Information about these changes will also be sent to patients with their clinic appointment letters.

Further Information

The New QEII is being planned by NHS Hertfordshire – the primary care trust – and GPs on the East and North Hertfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and will be a brand new four-storey building providing a modern environment for the services that local people use most often. It will have 8,517m2 of clinical and community space, which is more than twice the size of Hertford County Hospital, with the potential for future expansion. It will house the following services:

  • A 24 hour Local A&E facility
  • General outpatients
  • GP services – including overnight and at weekends
  • Diagnostics – CT and MRI scans, x-rays and ultrasound
  • Rapid Assessment Unit – for patients who need urgent assessment and diagnostics but don’t need to be admitted into hospital
  • Endoscopy and day treatments
  • Ante and post natal services
  • A dedicated Children’s Zone
  • Therapy services – including speech, physiotherapy and occupational
  • The Vicki Adkins Breast Unit
  • A pharmacy