The community is being invited to comment on Dorset County Hospital's (DCH) "once-in-a-generation" redevelopment.

Plans, which include a new emergency department and critical care unit building, can now be viewed online.

DCH has been earmarked £77.3m of government funding to build a new emergency department and critical care unit, which would link to the existing hospital, plus create an integrated care hub – where health, social care and voluntary services could work together to provide care to patients at home or in a community setting. The scheme, if approved by local planners, would form part of the Government's New Hospitals Programme.

The trust also has plans to build a new two-storey main entrance, hospital support centre and key worker housing. All the proposed developments are part of the trust's Your Future Hospital programme, which sets out plans for the DCH site over the next five years.

Nick Johnson, interim chief executive at Dorset County Hospital, said: "It's an exciting time for us at Dorset County Hospital and we're delighted to have been include in the Government's New Hospitals Programme.

"We hope that these plans will make a huge difference to our patients, staff and visitors. It would help increase our capacity to meet demand and give patients the care and support they need, as well as provide staff with a better place to work, enabling them to continue to provide outstanding care to those who need it."

DCH is inviting patients and the local community to view and comment on the proposals online until March 11. Feedback will then be used to further develop the plans and included as part of the trust's outline planning application.

Mr Johnson added: "We're keen to involve our patients, staff, visitors and local communities along the way as we develop our plans, so hope people will take a look and give us their feedback."

As part of its development plans, DCH also has a Social Value Pledge. This includes using local tradespeople and reducing carbon emissions through sustainable design.

DCH is being supported by Prime, a specialist health and care property company, who are working in partnership with the trust to identify and plan improvements.

They haves teamed up on the new 650-space multi-storey car park, set into the hill on a corner site at the bottom of Williams Avenue and Damers Road. The car park is due to open this summer.

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