Charing Cross Hospital seeks public’s views on refurbishment

Image: Charing Cross hospital reception area; Photograph Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Charing Cross is facing cuts to is budget, but refurbishment of the ground floor is a priority

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith, is working with healthcare specialist architects Ansell and Bailey on a full refurbishment of the ground floor and first floor of the hospital, and they want the public’s views on ‘how we can improve these spaces to meet the needs of our patients and local communities.’

Charing Cross hospital is looking very tatty, having been under threat of closure for years. Saved from the threat of redevelopment, the Trust heard two years ago that urgent work to re-build the hospital had been downgraded in favour of more urgent work elsewhere, a decision which was reconfirmed by the new Labour government in January.

READ MORE: Andy Slaughter blames “legacy of Tory neglect” for delay to hospital building

Now refurbishment of the ground floor has become an urgent priority.

The work will include:

• The front entrance to Charing Cross Hospital – including improving accessibility for wheelchair users and those with disabilities
• The toilets on the ground floor
• The food and retail offer – expand what is already there and bringing in a long-term retail partner
• Wayfinding and navigation
• Support services – including their reception and patient advice and liaison service (PALS).

Image: Charing Cross Hospital

“The space and environment we find ourselves in can have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing”

‘‘We understand this work might seem at odds with the current operational and financial challenges faced by our hospitals and the wider NHS,” the Trust said, “however, this refurbishment includes essential maintenance improvements that will ensure we can continue to provide high quality care to our patients safely and efficiently.

“We had historically set aside essential funds to complete this work, and Imperial Health Charity will kindly donate further funds as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting our hospitals, staff and patients.

‘‘We also know that the space and environment we find ourselves in can have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing – we want our colleagues, patients and visitors to have a positive experience when they come to Charing Cross Hospital and we recognise that we can have an impact as soon as people walk through the doors to the front entrance.’’

Image: Charing Cross Hospital

Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust has recently told all its hospitals (Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea, St Mary’s and the Western Eye hospital) they are imposing cuts to their budget this year which include an immediate freeze on employing agency staff and a cap on ‘planned care’ activity.

READ ALSO: West London hospitals told there will be big cuts to their budgets this year

Claire Hook, chief operating officer and deputy chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said:

“The Government has been clear that it expects the NHS to bridge the funding gap by returning closer to pre-pandemic levels of productivity. This means that NHS trusts must spend one per cent less money and do significantly more with the money we have.”

If you would like to give your views on the refurbishment of Charing Cross, fill out the form on the Trust’s website by Friday 25 April.

If you have any questions or would prefer to receive the questions in an alternative format, please email imperial.communications@nhs.net.

Your feedback will be used by Ansell and Bailey to develop designs to progress with the next phase of the project.

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