What KGH can do with the rebuild cash it has...and what it wants to do if it gets more

A new A&E department and six new operating theatres feature in the plans
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Kettering General Hospital has £396m in funding to rebuild its ageing estate - but bosses say that won't even allow them to complete phase two of a five-phase development plan.

They say they need a total of £765m to get to the end of phase three, which would leave them with 83 per cent of buildings deemed 'fit for purpose'. Currently that number is just 20 per cent.

Here's what KGH can afford to do with the £396m it has:

An artist’s impression of what the Urgent Care Hub could look like, replacing A&E and short stay urgent care wards, with extra inpatients beds on the higher floors. This would be completed in the first phase of the development.An artist’s impression of what the Urgent Care Hub could look like, replacing A&E and short stay urgent care wards, with extra inpatients beds on the higher floors. This would be completed in the first phase of the development.
An artist’s impression of what the Urgent Care Hub could look like, replacing A&E and short stay urgent care wards, with extra inpatients beds on the higher floors. This would be completed in the first phase of the development.
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If the trust's business case is approved the Rothwell Road hospital will have a new urgent care hub including a brand new A&E department.

The money would also allow them to bring in new assessment beds to improve the flow of patients through the hospital.

A total of 12 new wards would be created to replace wards which are no longer fit for purpose.

The hospital would also create a new energy centre to replace the old centre and make them more efficient and sustainable.

Kettering General Hospital.Kettering General Hospital.
Kettering General Hospital.
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There would also be the creation of a link between the new building and existing estate as well as a dedicated blue light road to serve the urgent care hub.

The hospital would also have better public drop-off arrangements to make it more accessible and aged buildings would be demolished to prepare the site for further development in future phases.

But group chief executive Simon Weldon says that isn't enough and the hospital's board is expected to push next week to get to the end of phase three.

That would cost £765m, far more than the hospital has been allocated.

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If the Government stumped up extra cash the hospital would be able to afford everything outlined above as well as:

The majority of the hospital's wards would be replaced.

They would have six new operating theatres and new facilities for endoscopy, mortuary and pathology services.

There would be new imaging and diagnostic facilities as well as new medical and surgical ambulatory services.

Critical care would be relocated and the hospital would be able to refurbish its retained buildings.

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Delivering phase three improvements would take about eight years to complete - but that's dependent on whether the Department of Health and Social Care gives KGH the money it wants.

With the Covid-19 crisis crippling the country financially Mr Weldon said he recognised the economic context isn't strong - but said extra money was vital to give the people of north Northamptonshire the hospital they deserved.

He said 'political choices will remain political choices' and hopes the Government will provide more cash.

He told the Northants Telegraph: "I respect that there are different choices to be made.

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"But fundamentally the national programme promised new hospitals and I feel it's important of me to point out that this isn't a new hospital."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We have committed to funding 40 hospitals which will be completed by 2030 and eight further schemes invited to bid for funding, with the first £3.7bn of investment confirmed for the next four years.

“Full funding for the new Kettering General Hospital will be finalised alongside their business case, which will be carefully evaluated to ensure it demonstrates best value for money for the taxpayer and meets the needs of staff and local people.”

- Read more about KGH's plans and campaign on our website tomorrow and in this week's edition of the Northants Telegraph