Trust unveils £60m new ward plan

Trust bosses said the plans were at a very early stage

A £60m proposal to replace ageing wards at a Merseyside hospital has been unveiled by an NHS trust.

Aintree University Hospitals NHS trust managers want to build new three or four-storey blocks, with 32-bed wards on each floor, at the Fazakerley site.

They have commissioned a feasibility study into the construction of the blocks over a phased period.

Building work on the first could start in 2011 with a number of new facilities built up until 2025, the trust said.

Design proposals

Chief executive James Birrell: "The Tower Block at University Hospital Aintree is now showing its age, and we need to ensure that our facilities support the vision of the trust as a provider of high quality clinical care.

"The trust board has agreed to commission initial work to consider the feasibility of a proposed design for the new ward accommodation.

"Our clinical and quality strategies will be supported by this future development, which will also help address privacy and dignity issues for patients by creating wards which are fit for modern-day healthcare."

Mr Birrell said the plans were at a very early stage and had not yet entered the formal planning process.

A project team is due to report back to the trust at the end of this year with proposals about design and full costs.

Building work already under way at University Hospital Aintree includes a £30m elective care centre, due for completion next year.

A new multi-storey car park and occupational health centre are also under construction.