Enterprise Zone driving hospital transformation in Nottingham

Posted on 24 June 2014 · Posted in News

Plans for the next stage of development at Nottingham Enterprise Zone have been unveiled after confirmation that the Medipark development on the Queen’s Medical Centre site is one step closer to becoming reality. This follows the awarding of a £5.5million grant from the Department of Communities and Local Government to support the Medipark development.

Five major developments planned for QMC over the next 18 months are set to transform the experience for patients, visitors and staff who visit Nottingham’s and one of the country’s biggest and busiest teaching hospitals.

The developments due to get underway from this Summer that are the biggest since the hospital was built in 1977 are:

  1. Medipark development – a new medical-research facility
  2. New 650-space multi-storey car park
  3. New helipad to support the region’s major trauma centre – to be located on top of the multi-storey car park at the south side of QMC
  4. Tram – due to arrive at QMC at end of 2014, making the hospital the first in the country to be connected by a tram
  5. New tram (south) entrance – to improve access into the hospital

Peter Homa, Chief Executive of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are naturally excited that we can over the next two years look forward to a number of developments at QMC which will quite literally change the face of the hospital and most importantly improve the way in which our patients, visitors, carers and staff access our hospital, leading to a better experience for those in our care. These developments are also great news for the city of Nottingham, with the prospect of the Medipark creating hundreds of new jobs. Importantly, it boosts the city’s position and standing as a national and international leader when it comes to research, innovation, enterprise and healthcare.”

Councillor Graham Chapman, Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council, and Portfolio Holder for Resources and Neighbourhood Regeneration, commented:

“The announcement of this funding is a major boost to the Medipark scheme. High quality developments such as Medipark, with its location next to one of Europe’s largest teaching hospitals, will add to the city’s reputation and create high quality facilities for research and development. This in turn will draw in new business and create the sort of quality jobs the city needs. It will create a virtuous circle.”

David Ralph, Chief Executive of D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, said: “Medipark is a priority project for the D2N2 LEP as through its provision of innovation pods it will produce a number of jobs in the life sciences sector, which is one of the key sectors in our Strategic Economic Plan.

“This funding is an important boost to the Nottingham Enterprise Zone and MediPark will be a key site for new private sector jobs in Nottingham and will focus on attracting growing firms in a sector where we have the heritage, skills and innovation to lead the way.”

QMC took on the important responsibility as the region’s major trauma centre in 2012. Currently, there isn’t a helipad on-site at QMC, which means the air ambulance has to land nearby at the University. Once the helicopter lands, patients are transferred to an ambulance and brought to QMC’s Emergency Department, which can take up to 20 minutes.

Adam Brooks, Clinical Lead for QMC’s Major Trauma Centre, said: “Our world-class, expert team in Nottingham have saved the lives over 100 patients who wouldn’t otherwise have survived since we became the region’s major trauma centre. But with an on-site helipad we can save even more lives. The most seriously-injured patients will be transported to our Emergency Department faster, giving patients the very best chance of survival.”