Countess of Chester Hospital submits plans to remove outdated building as new era begins

The Countess of Chester Hospital has submitted a planning application to deconstruct the old Women and Children’s Building at the hospital, marking the next step in a major transformation of the site.

The application also includes the removal of the elevated blue link bridge – a familiar architectural feature for many in Chester. The site of the Women and Children’s Building was built in the 1970s and is situated opposite the main entrance of the hospital.

This milestone comes following the opening of the new Women and Children’s Building in September. One-third larger than the now-vacant facility, the new building offers bright, modern and spacious environments designed to support the best possible care for families and staff. It also represents a key part of the Trust’s Five Year Strategy to deliver services that meet the future needs of the community.

Karen Edge, Chief Finance Officer at the Trust, said: 

“This signals the beginning of a new era in healthcare. We are proud to be investing in the future of Chester. This transformation reflects our commitment to delivering safe, modern care in facilities designed with and for our community.”

The deconstruction is necessary because the existing building contains Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a material now recognised as unsafe. In 2023, the Trust installed temporary structural supports to ensure safety while construction of the new building progressed. In line with national NHS guidance, all RAAC must be removed from hospital buildings by 2030 due to its limited lifespan and associated risks. The new Women and Children’s Building and the deconstruction of the current facility have been funded through a £110 million grant from the National RAAC Programme.

What happens next for the site

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed that the site of the now-former Women and Children’s Building will not be used for additional car parking. Instead, the Trust is exploring how the space could be used to support future healthcare services to best meet the needs of the local population.

Karen Edge explained: 

“We know parking is a concern, and we are working hard to improve it across the site.

“The Trust is committed to supporting more sustainable travel options, in line with national NHS goals. The focus remains on better use of existing space and promoting alternative travel options such as use of the park and ride.

“With financial pressures across the NHS, future developments must be carefully prioritised.”

What happens to the Neonatal Unit that will still be standing?

The Neonatal Unit built in 2021 from charitable funds will remain standing. As a newer building it is unaffected by the RAAC issue. The neonatal team relocated to the new Women and Children’s Building in September of this year, where a new unit opened.

As part of the Trust’s broader effort to future-proof the hospital, the 2021 unit will be repurposed to provide valuable clinical services. More details on these plans will be shared soon.

To avoid any confusion, it’s important to clarify that the neonatal unit previously located inside the old Women and Children’s Building [including during the period of 2015-2016] was closed some time ago and will be deconstructed as part of this planning application. The unit being retained is a separate, newer facility built adjacent to the main building in 2021.