Hospital Plans Should Be More Patient-Focused

8.44.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th May 2008

Local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt has written to Worcestershire PCT as part of their pre-planning consultation into the design of the new Malvern Hospital by calling for more patient focus in the plans.

Mr Burt, who is a member of Malvern Hospital Friends, made his response after meeting architects and Trust bosses at a recent public meeting held at Malvern Rugby Club.

Richard Burt said: "It's great to have more detailed plans into the public domain so early, giving people a real chance to influence the final design of the new hospital.

"Listening and talking to people who attended, there seemed a clear view that the location for the hospital building within the Seaford Court site should be rotated and moved away from the Osborne Road boundary to allow car parking to be moved from the front of the building to the rear of the site.

"This would allow for landscaping and gardens to be developed to the front of the hospital with southerly facing views, giving the hospital a far more patient friendly focus.

"Residents also raised concerns over traffic movement in and out of the site entrance on the Worcester Road, and suggested a one-way system with an exit onto Osborne Road would be worth investigating."

Mr Burt will join Friend of Malvern Hospital raising funds for extra facilities during Flag Days outside Morrisons in Malvern on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st May.