Proposals lodged to replace Stepping Hill wards
A 30,000 sq ft inpatient facility is to be constructed at the Stockport hospital on the site of two old wards knocked down in 2019, the latest scheme aimed at modernising the crumbling estate.
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has applied to build a three-storey modular facility where wards A12 and A15 once stood, opposite car park 4.
The proposed development would feature two adult inpatient wards, providing 64 beds in total for Stepping Hill patients.
A combination of six-bed wards and single-bed suites would be provided, alongside waiting rooms, clinical spaces, and a linear garden running between the new building and the Department of Medicine for Old People facility to the south.
The new wards will replace the outdated B4 and C4 wards, which are located at the heart of the 35-acre Stepping Hill estate and are being decommissioned.
Ryder is leading on design and Lichfields is advising on planning.
To learn more about the plans, search for application reference DC/089854 on Stockport Council’s planning portal.
Elsewhere at Stepping Hill, work to build a 12,000 sq ft extension to the emergency department is ongoing.
In 2021, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust bid to be one of 40 hospitals to be rebuilt as part of a £3.7bn government initiative. The former Debenhams site in the town centre has been earmarked as the location of any potential new facility. However, the trust is yet to hear back on its bid.
Speaking in 2021, Karen James, chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, outlined the need for a modern hospital in Stockport.
“Stepping Hill Hospital is an ageing hospital that was not designed to deliver modern acute services and we are also facing a £40m maintenance bill,” she said.
“But even if we had the funds available to carry out all the work needed, it still would not provide the modern hospital environment patients and staff deserve.”
Having grown up in the shadow of Stepping Hill in the 90’s, it think “Crumbling Estate” would have been an understatement even back then. I have a soft spot for SH, it’s rubbish, but it’s our rubbish. It’s in desperate need of a little TLC, really looking forward to this getting built.
By Anonymous
We need quicker decisions from the Government on funding the NHS Estate, moving to the town centre makes a lot of sense and there would be regeneration spin-offs too. I’m assuming we’re just waiting on Gove’s pre-election bribe (jam tomorrow) to find out.
By Dave
Why take so long 4 an application 4 a sustainable site? Keep the pressure on with the emails & letters saying lives are at risk if nothing is heard. As you disturb patients on site, the risk to life is more likely.
By Evie