The Committee will receive an update from Alison Foster, Programme Director, Building Berkshire Together on the redevelopment of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Alison Foster, Programme Director, Building Berkshire Together, gave a presentation and update on the Building Berkshire Together programme to redevelop the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Alison explained that the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (RBFT) were in Cohort 4 of the National Hospital Programme and full adopters of ‘hospital 2.0’.  This would deliver cost savings and efficiencies using a standardised approach across hospitals that would be built at the same time.   It was noted that a Business Case had been submitted to the Treasury in 2020 for the funding allocation and three preferred options had been proposed.   A funding announcement was expected within the next few weeks, and this was anticipated to be a positive outcome for Reading.  It was reported that work to develop the business case options had been undertaken over the previous two years with consultation and engagement.  A recent feedback event at Reading Town Hall had provided advice and comments for consideration from partners and members of the public.

In response to questions the following points were noted:

• The carbon impact of a new hospital would be considered as part of the business case.  The aim would be to build a carbon neutral hospital and consideration was being given to modern methods of construction.  The University of Reading had been asked to help provide expertise in these areas.
• The carbon impact of patients, visitors and staff travelling to and from the hospital would also be factored into the business case.  Alison confirmed that travel and transport was a priority when considering the location of the hospital.
• Part of the new programme would be to manage the market and supply of labour for the new hospital build; linking social value and economic development to the area.
• It was suggested that the new hospital should be accessible for Reading residents by bus and rail, and consideration be given to people that did not drive. However, Alison explained that there was a lack of available land near the current hospital site, and it was a challenge to find a site for the new hospital in and around Reading. However, this would continue to be investigated.
• The ‘hospital 2.0’ project would be fully digitally enabled.  Work had been undertaken with Healthwatch and community leaders to gather information from groups who did not use technology so that they could provide feedback and their views be considered.

The Chair thanked Alison for the presentation.