£350m plan to double size of Horton General Hospital submitted

In a meeting of the Oxford University Health Trust board meeting today, plans were submitted to rebuild the Horton General Hospital in its entirety.

The Department of Health and Social Care Trusts in England have invited Trusts who wish to be considered for the next wave of the Hospital Improvement Programme. This programme has been set up with a commitment to deliver forty new hospitals by 2030, for which there are eight places remaining.

Work has been underway to develop the masterplan for Horton General Hospital for several years. Most recently the Trust commissioned a full design feasibility and high-level Strategic Outline Case with a preferred estates option, which completed in 2020 in readiness for a potential bid opportunity. The intention had been to progress further stakeholder engagement, however this work then paused due to Covid-19.

The deadline for submission for HGH to be included in the HIP is 9th September. Stage 2 of the selection process will require a more detailed submission and it is anticipated that the final decision on the successful bids will be Spring 2022.

The preferred option is a 58,000m2 new built hospital replacing the existing 30,700m2 hospital on the Horton site. The construction would be split in three phases:

• Phase 1 to provide increased capacity for ED, Imaging, Theatres and Inpatients;

• Phase 2 to provide Outpatients, Therapies and Maternity; and

• Phase 3 to provide an Energy Centre and wider site redevelopment including a multi-storey car park.

Based on the Trust’s experience with the construction of the Critical Care Building at the John Radcliffe site, the costs are estimated to be £330m including VAT but excluding equipment or between £350m–£370m including VAT and equipment.

Should the initial Expression of Interest be successful then a more detailed submission will be required and details of the proposal remain indicative at this stage.

Given the age and condition of the buildings on the Horton site, the vision is to replace the hospital in its entirety to create facilities that are safe, fit for purpose and can service a growing population and accommodate a shift in activity from the Headington sites to provide care closer to home for people living in the north of the county. This aims to provide:

• Clinical services consistent with previous public consultation

• Integrated Front door for Urgent & Emergency Care

• Diagnostic Hub

• Outpatient transformation

• Increase in Day Case and Short Stay Treatments

• New Maternity facilities

• Co-location of research and education space

• Multi-storey car park

• Opportunity for complimentary site development through land released

• Flexible and adaptable space to meeting changing requirements with an opportunity for future expansion