Good news for Victoria Cottage Hospital, Emsworth

Ken Gilchrist

Final agreement on the East Hants Primary Care Trust project to build a new hospital at Oak Park Havant is expected this month. This Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) project would result in ‘the first spade’ being used before Christmas, and the new hospital opening in 2008.
The next intended LIFT project planned by the Primary Care Trust is the refurbishment or rebuilding of the Victoria Cottage Hospital. The plans are dependent on the decision of the Friends of the Victoria Cottage Hospital regarding the release of the land on the site adjacent to the A259. Without this piece of land, the project would be scaled down, and the potential facilities would be reduced. A meeting will be held on 31 January 2005 involving the Primary Care Trust and the Friends of Victoria Cottage Hospital to discuss their concerns.
The other local project at Emsworth House on Havant Road has a project schedule indicating completion of Phase 1 in 2005 with 50% of the new beds then available and completed refurbishment of the current facility. Phase 2 will see the remainder of the new beds complete in 2006.
The Primary Care Trust confirm that Victoria Cottage Hospital will remain open until alternative beds are available and they intend to wait until the Oak Park Hospital opens, although Emsworth House beds should be available first. Dr Tibbs has confirmed that the Emsworth Practice wants to move to the Victoria Cottage Hospital site and is prepared, if necessary, to wait until 2008.