Team planning £40m children’s hospital revamp to meet public

SUPPORTERS backing multi-million pound plans to transform Sheffield Children’s Hospital will have a chance to meet face-to-face with the NHS trust team behind the project next week.

Project leader John Petty and another member of the team will be at Weston Park Museum on Saturday, January 19, between 10am and 4pm to speak to the public in what they described as “an informal setting”.

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is planning a £40m transformation which will see the hospital extended to update ward accommodation.

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It is hoped that the project will provide 72 bedrooms, many of which will be en-suite incorporating family friendly facilities.

A new level entrance, outpatient department and upgraded car park, separate from service vehicles, are included in the ambitious blueprints.

Mr Petty said: “We’re keen to work with local residents to make sure they’re aware of any changes which might occur in the area as the building starts.

“We’d be delighted to discuss these plans with the community on January 19 at Weston Park Museum.”

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Building work on the project is due to start in April and it is hoped that it will be finished for opening in summer 2015.

The trust said it is working closely with Sheffield Council to ensure traffic and noise disruption is kept to a minimum for the surrounding area during the project.

The Children’s Hospital Charity’s Make it Better appeal, which is supporting the £40m development, was launched back in September.

Its plaster logo can be seen on landmark buildings across the city, including the Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday grounds, the Crucible Theatre and Sheffield’s Midland railway station.

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Earlier this month, Olympic gold medal-winning heptathlete Jessica Ennis, who is a patron of the charity, urged people to take part in the city’s sponsored runs to help make the dream become a reality.

The charity appeal is needed for the enhancements that will transform the building into a state-of-the-art facility which cannot be paid for with NHS cash.

It is hoped that the improvements will include a special play tower, gardens, specialist medical equipment and artwork.

To find out more about the charity’s efforts for the project and to donate to the Make It Better campaign, log on to www.tchc.org.uk or call its offices at the hospital on 0114 271 7203.