Back in August 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, where he met staff and announced funding of £21.3 million for the transformation of the emergency department.
Since then, a lot of work has been taking place behind the scenes to finalise the £37.9million design that will not only meet the needs of patients and staff now, but also in the future.
The plans will see the demolition of the existing H-block building and the erection of a two-storey extension with a full refurbishment. It will more than double in size and include state of the art innovations and infection prevention control measures, have more cubicles to treat patients and a bigger resuscitation zone for the sickest patients.
It will also include a separate area dedicated to providing emergency care for the hospital’s youngest patients and their families and have more training rooms for staff.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Chief Executive, Andrew Morgan, said: “The granting of planning permission by Boston Borough Council is a major milestone in the much-needed development of the Emergency Department at Pilgrim hospital.
“With planning permission in place, work has already begun to get final approval from the Department of Health and Social Care who pledged £21.3million towards the transformation during the visit by the Prime Minister in 2019. The additional funding will be provided by both NHSE&I and the Lincolnshire NHS system.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of our amazing colleagues and all of our partner organisations. By working together, we have an approved design which is going to give our patients and staff the first-class Emergency Department that they need and deserve for the future.”
Councillor Nigel Welton, Deputy Leader of Boston Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Planning said, “The transformation of Pilgrim Hospital’s Emergency Department cannot
come soon enough, especially after the past two years. This will be a fantastic transformation for our hospital and town, that patients, staff and residents will be able to benefit from for many years to come.”