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We would like to thank the local community,stakeholders and the staff working at the hospitalwho have supported this scheme over the years andwho have given their input and feedback which hasshaped the planning and design of the new building. The new hospital will provide a range of health andwellbeing services for local people includingoutpatients, therapy and diagnostic services as wellas specialist community dentistry.

West Hampshire CCG has worked closely with localpeople, the Hospital League of Friends, The Royal

British Legion, the Parish Council, local churches andcommunity groups to ensure the design of thebuilding is modern and fit for purpose and reflects itsstrong local heritage and important place in historyas a war memorial.    Construction on site is due to start from the end ofSeptember 2020, with completion forecast for May2022. The majority of services currently provided atthe hospital will continue running as normalthroughout the construction period, but in the eventof any disruption, patients will be kept informed and,where necessary, redirected to alternative locations.

Introduction

HYTHE AND DIBDEN WARMEMORIAL HOSPITALUpdate on the redevelopment

NHS West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Property Services are delighted toconfirm that approval has been given to proceed with the building of the new Hythe and Dibden WarMemorial Hospital, delivering a state of the art facility for the community.

John Carr, Chairman of the hospital League of Friends, said:“This is such good news for the local community and has been longawaited. We are so pleased that we can now progress with theconstruction of the building which will continue to provide a variety ofmuch valued clinical services and maintain its importance as the warmemorial.”

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North elevation (rear of building)

South elevation

Design of the new building

The design of the hospital has been influenced by staff, stakeholders, the local community and representativesof local support groups. We have listened to the feedback and recommendations for change, for example, a“Changing Places” toilet has been included and design friendly element incorporated for children and thosewith dementia.

West elevation (front entrance)

Architect's plans:

East elevation

After the First World War, the people of Hythe andDibden decided to raise funds for a community hospitalin memory of their fallen, instead of a traditional stonemonument. They bought a house on Atheling Road withthe money they raised and the first Hythe and DibdenWar Memorial Hospital opened in 1922, in memory ofthe thirty local men who gave their lives in the war. Within a few years it was clear that larger premiseswould be required and in 1940, the beds and all theequipment were relocated to a new building on BeaulieuRoad.  This new hospital was also acquired withdonations and local fund raising. In 1948 the NHS tookover the running of the hospital and it was agreed that itwould retain its war memorial status and the name ofHythe and Dibden War Memorial Hospital. 

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Health and Wellbeing Services

The diagram below shows the range of services that are or are planned to be delivered from Hythe and DibdenWar Memorial Hospital and will continue to be available from the new hospital when it opens in May 2022.

Preserving the heritage of the War Memorial

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With such a strong and vibrant local history, it is vitalthat the the new building reflects and honours it's warmemorial status.

In January and May 2020, workshops were held withcommunity organisations, including The Royal BritishLegion, to discuss the war memorial and how this can beincorporated within the new design of the building. Wewill continue to work with local people and thecommunity to agree the final way in which the warmemorial status is represented both internally andexternally.  The hospital's League of Friends has agreed to fund therestoration of the original wooden memorial plaques,ready for installation in a prominent location in thewaiting area of the new hospital. This will provide a focalpoint for acts of remembrance which will continue to beheld each November.

The old hospital building has been vacant since 2016 and will be demolished to create the space for the newbuilding. In addition, the Forest Suite located adjacent to the old hospital will also be decommissioned as part ofthe construction site and the clinics which operate in this area will be relocated to other rooms in the building toenable services to continue to be provided. The Forest Suite decant will take place in late September /earlyOctober 2020 and plans are in place to ensure that patients and visitors to the site are re-directed to the newclinical rooms. The only service which will not be accessible as a result of the construction works is the X-ray Service because itis not possible to provide a temporary solution on site for this. X-ray services will be provided in the newhospital and a new X-ray machine is being purchased. Until the new hospital facilities are open, patientsrequiring an X-ray will be able to attend Lymington New Forest Hospital or Romsey Hospital, and can contactthe radiology team on 01590 663 112 if they have any queries about their appointment.

What happens next?

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If you want to keep up to date with news on the development of theHythe and Dibden War Memorial Hospital, please follow us online. Ifyou have any comments or questions, feel free to get in touch.

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