Decision due on new in-patient ward at Eastbourne DGH

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the Kings Drive hospital, wants to put the three-storey modular building on a site currently occupied by a workshop and car park.

The new ward would contain 105 beds, allowing the hospital to cope with winter pressures as well as enabling refurbishment work to be carried out in other parts of the DGH.

The plans are due to be discussed by Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee on Tuesday October 20.

According to the application: “Any additional staff needed in order to support the additional in-patients within these wards will be hired as required. This very much depends on whether the ward is initially used as decant from other ward to allow phased refurbishment, or immediately for winter pressures.

“As such, the proposal does not plan for any additional staff, only relocation from elsewhere within the hospital site.

“The hospital has already identified the need to increase its overall number of beds, and some staff will be relocated to this building from areas where additional beds will be created.”

Activities in the due to be demolished single-storey workshop will be relocated, while the new ward will connect to the existing hospital building via a connecting corridor at first and second floor levels.

The beds will be designated as general ward spaces for adult in-patients.

The modules will be delivered to the site by truck and lifted into place using a crane.