Consultations for £400m hospital

The existing hospital will be retained

A Merseyside hospital is asking the public for their views on a £400m plan for the future development of the site.

Before proposals for the refurbishment of Royal Liverpool Hospital are submitted, nearby residents and businesses can have their say.

Two meetings are being held at Kensington Community Centre at 1300 GMT and 1900 GMT with an exhibition giving more details to respond to.

The hospital's trust expects to submit the planning application in early 2008.

This is the only part of the site where we can develop the new hospital because we have to keep the exiting facility in full use until the new one is ready for occupation Helen Jackson, project director Hospital unveils masterplan

Leaflets will also be distributed to more than 2,500 homes in the Kensington Fields area, close to the hospital site.

A spokesman for The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust said the new development would be "a new world-class city hospital".

The outlined application includes a new hospital alongside the existing building in open space on the current site next to West Derby Street.

Helen Jackson, project director, said: "This is the only part of the site where we can develop the new hospital because we have to keep the exiting facility in full use until the new one is ready for occupation."

The hospital said this option was most viable otherwise it would have to consider moving out of the city centre. Alternatively, refurbishing the existing building would take about 12 years.

The outlined proposal will take about three years to complete.

Further consultation meetings will take place at Royal Liverpool Hospital and Broadgreen Hospital until 14 November.