Planning permission from city council

An ambitious project to create a 50-bed rehabilitation unit for patients across Southampton has been given the green light by city planners.

Southampton City Council has granted conditional planning permission for the scheme, which will provide purpose-built accommodation to help patients get back to health as quickly as possible.

The wing, based at Western Community Hospital off Tebourba Way, will enable a greater number of people to be cared for in fresh, modern facilities – enhancing the patient experience and providing an improved working environment for staff.

It will replace two existing rehabilitation wards at the Royal South Hants Hospital also in Southampton – increasing beds from 43 to 50, as well as doubling the number of single rooms with en-suite facilities.

Mark Young, Associate Director of Estates Transformation at Solent NHS Trust, said:

This is a major milestone in our plans to centralise and future proof our rehabilitation facilities for patients across the Southampton area.

We are extremely excited about delivering this project, which will transform existing facilities and have significant benefits for the wider health system as well as our local community.

While delivery of the project is still subject to Department of Health funding approval, this is an important and significant step forward for project, patients and staff.
Demolition work is expected to start in the spring of 2022.

The new unit and associated facilities will help keep patients out of hospital for longer and enable a swifter recovery for those on their way home.

Clinical staff, patients and carers have had input into the plans, which use greenery and natural light to boost morale and aid recover