Views sought on new £27m Ludlow hospital work
The people of Ludlow are to be given the chance to have a major say in the development of the town's new £27 million hospital, it has been revealed.
Residents will be asked to join focus groups which will help decide the look and feel of the corridors and open spaces inside the new hospital and how community spaces such as a planned healthy living centre will be used.
Health bosses also want the public to help draw up plans for transport links and car parking arrangements at the new hospital at Ludlow Eco-Business Park.
A public drop-in session organised by officials at Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and developers Amber Infrastructure will be held at the Harley Centre at Ludlow College on November 16.
It comes after health bosses revealed earlier this week they hope to sign the final contracts to enable work to start on the new hospital and health village by the end of the year.
It is hoped the site will open by 2014 and will also incorporate the town's two existing Portcullis and Station Drive GP surgeries.
Stuart Rees, project director at Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, said: "We have set up specific groups and welcome local people to join to offer their thoughts and comments on the areas that they can directly influence."
Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow and chairman of Ludlow Health Forum, said: "This is building on our work to date and will help local people have another very direct impact on the success of this project."
Amber Infrastructure, the company selected by NHS bosses to build the hospital, will be paid £1.5 million a year for 25 years once the health village opens in 2014.
The hospital's League of Friends wants to recruit another 1,000 members before the hospital is built.
The drop-in session on November 16 will run from 4pm until 6pm. For details visit www.shropscommunityhealth.nhs.uk
