CONTROVERSIAL plans for £147million of redevelopment at Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital will be showcased at public events next week.

Under the latest healthcare shake-up the emergency department at Bournemouth will treble in size, while Poole Hospital will have a new complex with ten new operating theatres and expanded day case provision.

Debbie Fleming, joint chief executive of both hospital trusts, said: "This significant investment in our hospitals will ensure that we can provide the best services in the future with the challenges of an increased population, more patients living longer with complex long-term conditions and limited resources.

"We are very glad to have the opportunity to share wider our development plans and hope people will be able to join us to learn more.

"We will also be sharing the plans wider online after the events for those who cannot attend.”"

The decision to remove accident and emergency provision from Poole has courted much controversy locally.

The Royal Bournemouth Hospital event will run 10am-7pm, Wednesday, June 5, in the Atrium, and the Poole Hospital event will run 10am-7pm, Thursday, June 6, in the Dolphin Restaurant.