The next phase west Cumbria's major hospital redevelopment is set to get underway.

It is part of the rebuilding of the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, which has cost £90m to date.

Starting this month, work will begin on an area to house a new diagnostics suite - including cardiology, breast screening and vascular laboratory - and a new mortuary.

Phase 1 saw North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust open the new build part of the hospital in October 2015.

The next phase, known as Phase 1b, represents a further investment of £8.9m.

This will prepare for the demolition of parts of the old hospital, and for the subsequent second phase of the redevelopment.

Bosses say the new diagnostics suite will be in a fully refurbished part of the old hospital building, providing patients and staff with the same quality of environment that patients in the new hospital are already experiencing.

The work is set to be complete by spring 2018.

As part of this phase, two of the main lifts in the old hospital will also be fully refurbished.


Stephen Eames In addition, as part of Phase 1B, a new multi-faith area and bereavement suite has already opened.

The Henderson Chemotherapy Suite is also set to move to an interim location within the hospital, allowing more space and improved environment. It will eventually be replaced by a new purpose built chemotherapy facility.

New support services accommodation and offices are also being created, with unused parts of the old hospital to be demolished.

Stephen Eames, trust chief executive, said there has been positive feedback about the new hospital, and they were now setting out a clear timeline for the remainder of the works to be completed.

“The next step is to refresh the outline business case for phase two and finalise phase three plans, which will allow us to look as a health and care system at ensuring we make the best possible use of the space we have including considering academic functions with our partners at the University of Central Lancashire.

“I hope our continued work and investment in West Cumberland Hospital clearly demonstrates our commitment to providing high quality services in West Cumbria.”