Sally was shown around the development by Zara Jones, Acting Chief Executive, and Dr Kirsty Edmondson-Jones, Director of Infrastructure, who talked her through how the new department is taking shape and what it will mean for patients.
The Department of Critical Care is being delivered through a £19.8 million investment and will provide a modern 22-bed unit for some of the hospital’s most seriously ill patients. The building is due to be completed early 2027.
Once complete, the new facility will care for people who need constant monitoring and specialist treatment. This includes patients recovering from major surgery, serious infections, severe injuries, breathing problems, and other life-threatening conditions. Care is provided around the clock by highly trained teams using specialist equipment.
This is one of the biggest recent investments at DRI and forms part of a long-term programme to refurbish and modernise the site to ensure it is fit to meet the needs of future generations of patients and colleagues.
Much of the hospital was built in the 1930s and 1960s, to meet the needs of a very different era of healthcare. Many areas, despite adaptations over time, are now poorly suited to the needs of modern medicine, new technology, and today’s patient expectations, placing ongoing pressure on services.
In response, DBTH previously bid for national funding to support a major rebuild of the site. Although the bid was unsuccessful, work has continued to strengthen and renew the hospital through phased, long-term redevelopment and targeted investment.
Recent projects, including the new Discharge Lounge and Surgical Same Day Emergency Care unit, have already helped improve patient flow and create space for the new Department of Critical Care. These developments have been delivered on schedule and are now supporting day-to-day services, reflecting DBTH’s strong track record of making effective use of capital investment.
Subject to national funding approvals, the next major planned step is the refurbishment of the East Ward Block, the main tower block dating back to the 1960s, which would modernise one of the site’s busiest buildings.
Zara Jones, Acting Chief Executive at DBTH, said: “We were pleased to welcome Sally to Doncaster Royal Infirmary and to show her the progress being made. The new Department of Critical Care will make a real difference for patients and colleagues. We value the strong and constructive support we receive from our local MPs. While we have invested record amounts in recent years, the age of many of our buildings means continued investment remains essential.”
Sally Jameson MP said: “It was great to see the progress being made and to hear directly from colleagues and patients. I will continue to work with the Trust, local partners and Government, using my voice in Parliament to support continued investment and improvements for the people of Doncaster.”
Each year, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals cares for around 800,000 patients, with around 600,000 treated at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, making it one of the busiest hospitals in the region.
Further information about Sally Jameson MP’s campaign is available at: https://www.sallyjamesonmp.co.uk/news/dripetition