Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, visited Dorset County Hospital on the 20th July to meet with senior representatives and staff, for an update on the construction of a new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit. It follows confirmation in May this year that the new buildings are part of the Department for Health and Social Care’s New Hospital Programme.
Mr Loder met with Professor Alastair Hutchinson, Chief Medical Officer, and Jo Howarth, Chief Nursing Officer, for a tour of the premises and an overview of the construction work. At present, demolition of the old Damers First School is already underway to accommodate the new buildings. A reserved matters application has also been submitted to Dorset Council outlining the extent of the works. Reflecting on the visit, the local MP said:
“It is great to see that work is already underway for a new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit. Having met with staff and patients at Dorset County Hospital today, there is a clearly a groundswell of support for these new facilities from both staff and patients. I am wholly supportive of this development, and I will work closely with the Hospital and the Treasury to ensure that the share of the £62 million needed to complete construction is received.”
