Transforming Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Focusing on emergency care at Royal Bournemouth Hospital will mean emergency cases will be centered on the site with increased consultant and specialist team cover, seven days a week. This will reduce numbers of patients transferring between hospitals, put less demand on ambulances and hospital services, and so achieve better outcomes for patients.
The BEACH Building - 22,650m² of modern patient care
Described as a ‘once in a generation opportunity’, the new 6-storey high BEACH building (standing for Births, Emergency And Critical care, children’s Health) will have an enhanced emergency department, new purpose-built maternity, and children’s unit as well as a larger critical care facility.
- new critical care unit with more space for patients and the teams caring for them, including access to outside space
- large maternity unit with birthing pools and single postnatal care rooms for new mums and their partners
- 150,000 emergency and urgent care patients seen quicker, including dedicated CT scanner
- new energy centre and net zero carbon design
At the heart of our plans is a necessity to improve the flow of emergency patients throughout our hospitals and most importantly, to provide patients with a better experience whilst under our care.
Dr Harry Adlington, emergency medicine consultant and clinical director for emergency and urgent care
Great news for growing families
Significant developments are coming in April 2025 with the opening of the state-of-the-art maternity and neonatal unit in the Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s BEACH building. Replacing the facility at Poole Hospital, NHS Dorset’s ‘Born at the BEACH’ campaign will keep the public updated as the opening approaches
Here more from Kerry Taylor, UHD’s Head of Midwifery
You can visit the web portal here
Breaking ground on the new £91m Coast Building
Construction has started on the Coast Building, a £91m state-of-the-art ward and catering block, with additional beds, improved catering facilities, and enhanced facilities for staf A brand-new ward block is planned, with additional beds, improved catering facilities, and enhanced facilities for staff.
- 110 additional beds over four levels of ward accommodation - supporting respiratory and gastroenterology
- new catering facility on the ground floor.
- links to the existing hospital ‘street’ at both the ground and first floor level
- Plant space and solar panels on the roof.
Patients will benefit from new ward spaces, with the majority being single rooms as well as bariatric facilities on each level. “We will also benefit with new catering facilities, as well as additional staff changing and shower services.
Dr Robin O’Gorman, medicines care group medical director
To learn more about this project and watch a video from the groundbreaking ceremony
Dorset Pathology Hub
Designed for fast, accurate, routine and specialist testing, the Hub improves diagnostics for patients, helps meet the growing demand for specialist treatment as well as providing development opportunities for staff. The Hub is part of the One Dorset Pathology network - a collaborative partnership between Dorset County Hospital and UHD.
- processing over 9 million tests per year
- diagnosing conditions in over 70% of all patients seen by the NHS.
- 200 staff - offering 24/7 365 days a year support
- a green building with a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘excellent’ rating.
The Dorset Pathology Hub has the very latest in specialist technology and so delivers better value, high quality diagnostic and care for patients across the region.
Stephen Harding, head of service for One Dorset Pathology
You can read all about the official opening here and hear a patient story from Steve Hiorns, whose blood was the first to be analysed at the Hub
