Award-winning healthcare architects have been commissioned to redesign community hospitals in Cumbria.
Jonathan Bailey Associates will come up with an overall design brief for new hospitals in Brampton, Millom and Cockermouth, Cumbria’s Primary Care Trust chief executive, Sue Page said.
They will offer the latest technology and bring together a variety of health and social care services including GP surgeries. Health chiefs want outline business cases for the projects to be completed before Christmas.
John Critchley, resources director, said: “This is not just about the buildings, it is about making sure that the services work and that is being led by clinicians.
“It will ultimately create a whole new patient experience which everyone will welcome and bring pride back to Cumbria.”
Plans for Cockermouth include joining the community hospital with GP practices which have diagnostic facilities.
Dr John Howarth, a Cockermouth GP helping NHS Cumbria to develop the plans, said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to revitalise community hospitals. This will help us provide quality care for patients, closer to home.”
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