First designs for the new QEH hospital revealed

The new QEH in King's Lynn will have single rooms for all wards

First designs for a new hospital will go on display at a series of public events, starting this week.

The vision for the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in King's Lynn - which will be built on the current hospital's car park - will include single rooms for all wards.

As a Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) hospital, the QEH has been prioritised for rebuild by the national New Hospital Programme.

The new building is being developed using national guidance from the New Hospital Programme, developed in consultation with hundreds of clinicians, healthcare staff and patients across the country, the NHS trust said.

Paul Brooks, director of estates and facilities for the new QEH, said the visuals would give people "a feel for how our new, digitally enabled, hospital will function".

"I look forward to meeting as many people as possible at these events, updating on our progress towards a New QEH and the work to keep our current site open and providing the best possible care."

Attendees will have the chance to hear more about the new multi-storey car park, which is a key enabling project for the new hospital.

The public will be able to see the plans and designs for the new hospital at several meetings

Peter Cox, programme director for the new hospital, said feedback would shape the hospital's designs "as we do know there are concerns" with the new build.

"At this stage they are really concept," he said.

"We will go through a process over the next 12 to 18 months, then have a set of plans that we can go for planning application for."

Experts attending meetings will also explain how services will be developed for the new building, including preparing departments for the move and the healthcare innovations being explored to meet the needs of the local population for generations to come.

Meetings are being held at seven locations in west Norfolk from 10 June until 21 July.