FINAL designs have been unveiled for a major redevelopment at a mental health hospital in Poole which could save the NHS close to £1million.

Following a public consultation held last year, Dorset Healthcare has finalised its proposals for the partial re-development of the more than century-old St Ann’s Hospital.

If the plans are fully approved by BCP Council, the site would welcome a new building named Chaddesley House facilitating the delivery of a seven-bed male Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), a six-bed female PICU, and a 14-bed female Adult Mental Health Unit (AMH).

Also proposed is the refurbishment of the existing Haven ward to provide a minimum of eight adult mental health beds, and the Alumhurst ward to convert four female dormitory-style bedrooms into single bedrooms and add three bedrooms to the male side.

Bournemouth Echo: CGI of proposed redevelopment to St Ann's Hospital in Poole.CGI of proposed redevelopment to St Ann's Hospital in Poole. (Image: Dorset Healthcare)

Conversion works are also proposed at the Chine Ward to provide active travel facilities for staff, as well as reconfiguration works to the car park.

According to Dorset Healthcare, costs associated with handling the lack of capacity increased to £1.3m for 2021/22. It states that if the services and facilities listed are refurbished or replaced, the critical backlog figure would fall to less than £700,000.

St Ann’s extension will be the latest project in the government’s New Hospitals Programme, which has allocated £67m to Dorset Healthcare for two new mental health building schemes.

A new £8m eating disorders unit in the north-west corner of the site is also nearing completion after building commenced in autumn 2021.

Bournemouth Echo: St Ann’s Hospital in Poole.St Ann’s Hospital in Poole.

A spokesperson said: “The proposal described in this report will provide the biggest part of the St Ann's Hospital modernisation upgrade to increase quality and capacity for the region.

“Overall, refurbishing the current facilities so they are modern and more fit-for-purpose will lead to improved care quality for patients and service efficiency.

“We are proud to be involving those with lived experience, their advocates and our staff who work with them, in the design of these new facilities.”

If approved, Dorset Healthcare hope to begin construction at St Ann’s in January 2024, with patient care beginning in January 2026.