North Devon’s hospital gets £22m confirmed for new staff accommodation

Government funding has been confirmed to redevelop ageing staff accommodation at North Devon District Hospital.

The announcement of £22.7million from the New Hospital Programme for the Barnstaple site to replace two of the older residence buildings was made today (Monday, October 20).

The funding was pledged earlier this year along with money to build a new MRI suite.

READ NEXT: Plans lodged for new MRI scanning unit at hospital

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said work on the accommodation would begin next Monday, October 27 with the demolition of two existing residences over the next three months to make way for modern accommodation to meet the needs of colleagues and students in North Devon.

Chris Tidman, Royal Devon deputy chief executive officer, said: “This is an important step in the Our Future Hospital (OFH) Programme and marks a significant investment in the future of North Devon District Hospital.

“The redevelopment is essential for attracting and retaining healthcare professionals, ensuring the hospital remains at the forefront of healthcare delivery for the region.”

The trust said some temporary disruption was unavoidable while demolition and construction work was taking place but said it would be working closely with contractors to keep disruption to a minimum and ensure the safety of all hospital users.

Some additional parking restrictions will be temporarily put in place in the main patient car park to allow for movement of lorries. The trust said these will be limited to outside of main outpatient hours whenever possible.

Once complete the new residences will provide 120 ensuite bedrooms, including four fully accessible family apartments and six single fully accessible ensuite rooms, with shared kitchen, living and dining spaces alongside various amenity spaces.

The trust said the investment was ‘a proud milestone’ and a crucial part of its ‘commitment to improving facilities as part of Phase 1 of the Our Future Hospital Programme at NDDH’.

Karin Smyth, minister of state for health, visited the hospital at the end of June and was told it could not wait 10 years for investment as facilities were crumbling.

This followed an earlier statement by the Labour Government which said major investment to redevelop the hospital, promised by the previous government, had been put on hold until at least 2035 and possibly later, due to a lack of money.

READ NEXT: Minister told North Devon’s hospital can’t wait 10 years

At the time, North Devon MP Ian Roome called on the Government to take notice of North Devon’s plight and said: “Large parts of North Devon District Hospital still date back to 1978 and we need investment in its critical care infrastructure in particular, before it’s too late. As senior doctors told the Minister very plainly today in Barnstaple - 2035 will be too late.”

Speaking today, Ms Smyth said: “This redevelopment at North Devon District Hospital shows how government investment is delivering real improvements for NHS staff and patients.

“With £22.7m of funding, we’re providing modern, high-quality accommodation for hardworking NHS staff. Building better facilities means staff can focus on what matters most: providing outstanding care – a key part of our Plan for Change.”

Speaking today, he added: "This is a real result for our campaign and I’m pleased ministers have finally listened. But more must be done and quicker. I’m still pushing for the full package, including an upgraded ICU, modernised operating theatres, and a new MRI suite. I’ll keep the pressure on until we get that.”

Other projects in the pipeline include the new single MRI suite, plus a new community diagnostic centre (CDC) in Bideford and better enhanced Same-Day Emergency Care (SDEC) facilities at both Exeter and Barnstaple.