SWFT Open Letter

In May we shared an update on the exciting development plans for Ellen Badger Hospital, please visit: https://www.swft.nhs. uk/our-hospitals/ellen-badger-hospital to access the update.

It has been great to hear from the local community in Shipston regarding these plans, so thank you for all your comments. Across eleven Facebook Posts there were over 600 interactions including nearly 400 comments from over 200 separate individuals. We really value input from the public on our proposals and will be using them to shape the project as it develops. It is especially helpful to have this feedback during a time when engaging with the community is particularly challenging due to Coronavirus.

Coronavirus has had a huge impact of all aspects of healthcare and it will continue to shape future developments. Ellen Badger Hospital has played a vital role in the fight against Covid-19 and is currently supporting all NHS organisations across Coventry and Warwickshire by providing inpatient beds to patients recovering from Coronavirus. The Trust, working alongside our GP colleagues, is currently looking into how this might impact the development plans for Ellen Badger Hospital.

Some of the feedback we’ve received has queried why we aren’t planning to develop the existing site. This has been a big consideration for the Trust and we have explored all options to see if this would be possible. Unfortunately due to the existing building’s age, general condition, infrastructure and compliance related risks the option to refurbish the existing current hospital facility was discounted in favour of developing a modern purpose designed healthcare facility, which could respond in an effective and timely manner to the constant changing demands in healthcare delivery.

However, the Trust, like the local community, recognises the rich history of Ellen Badger Hospital and the importance of retaining as much of the history of the building as possible. We have done a detailed evaluation of all the historical artefacts within the current building and will be working closely with designers to come up with a way to sensitively incorporate these items into the new hospital. This includes the Badger monuments, which thanks to the generosity of the League of Friends, are going to be restored.

We are currently working with the design team on developing a proposal that supports changes to healthcare delivery due to Coronavirus, creates a sustainable and affordable building that is sympathetic to the local landscape and history, whilst enhancing and integrating healthcare for residents in Shipston and the surrounding areas.

We will get as much information to you as we progress the development and really want to get your feedback at every stage. If you have any further comments or questions, we would encourage you to send them to EBHdevelopment@ swft.nhs.uk