Plans for £28m centre at Telford hospital unveiled

Health bosses have today unveiled plans for a new £28 million flagship women and children's unit at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.

The development will house the consultant-led maternity, paediatrics – including the children's cancer ward – and women's units. Plans for the development have been submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council for approval following a series of consultations with patients and residents across the county.

Part of the centre will be new build and part will involve refurbishing existing accommodation at the hospital.

Stephen Hemming, from the Trust's agent Lambert Smith Hampton, said: "Sessions of engagements were held with staff, patients and the public last year and the scheme received positive feedback in many areas.

"The new scheme will provide a flagship women and children's unit for the trust which will transform the patients' experience and the delivery of these services.

"The new facility will have its own distinct identity which is still an integral part of the hospital as a whole."

Mr Hemming added: "There will be enhanced amenity spaces for patients, visitors and staff, including a range of external courtyards combining play space, private areas, landscape features and artwork.

"Interior design features will be incorporated to the children's outpatients department to make the spaces more friendly and less institutionalised, and there will be bespoke paediatric facilities."

Inside, the ground floor of the development will contain areas for new and expectant mothers, divided into antenatal and postnatal wards, and a large area for paediatrics, with a specialist oncology ward.

There will be a café area in the centre of the unit.

And there will be three courtyards for patients and their families to enjoy some fresh air.

On the first floor will be the gynaecology department, obstetrics operating theatres, neonatal wards and delivery suites.

The new centre, if approved, would be built on what is currently a car park at the north west corner of the hospital site.

A new 360-space car park will be added near to the unit to compensate for the loss of parking space.