Fears for Royal Sussex County Hospital revamp (From The Argus)

Fears for Royal Sussex County Hospital revamp

12:24pm Friday 28th October 2011 in News By Siobhan Ryan

A multi-million pound hospital redevelopment could be delayed indefinitely if planners don’t make a decision by February, a boss has warned.

Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust which runs the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, is calling for the £420 million project to be given the go-ahead quickly.

The Argus understands Department of Health funding is available in the current financial year – but to cash in, a decision is needed by February.

Plans were first submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council on September 23, but technical issues meant they were not formally validated until October 17.

The public now has until November 8 to send in their comments.

These will then be collated to Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee – which meets monthly.

Mr Selbie said if there were any further delays, then potential funding for the scheme is at risk.

He said: “We need to get approval from the Department of Health and the Treasury but we can’t press ahead with that until we have that permission.

"The more things are delayed the greater the chances of the whole project being put on hold.”

Work could start by the end of the year if the plans get the go-ahead.

The resulting change will turn the Royal Sussex into a major centre for the south east.

Proposals involve pulling down the Barry and Jubilee buildings which are more than 180 years old and not suitable for 21st century health care.

There will be an underground car park with 350 spaces and a helicopter pad on top of the Thomas Kemp Tower.

The Argus has launched the Give Us Our Hospital Campaign calling on people to show their support for the redevelopment by sending comments to the city council.

Read more on this story inside today's Argus.