Public given more time to have say on new hospital
BBCThe public have been given more time to share their views on plans to relocate a Surrey hospital.
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust plans to rebuild Frimley Park Hospital on part of Pine Ridge Golf Club, as two thirds of its buildings were constructed with Raac.
Campaigners have previously raised concerns about destroying woodlands and existing traffic issues, describing the relocation as "unthinkable vandalism".
Local residents, businesses and stakeholders will be able to comment until October 12.
In July, the trust published more information about its site selection following feedback and said that the decision to extend the engagement was to "give people more time to understand our plans, to talk to us and ask questions".
Kirk Ward, the trust's director of communications and engagement, said that he valued feedback, especially "hearing things that simply aren't set out in a report, on a map or deep in a technical assessment".
He said that parents had told him how children were using parts of the proposed site as an informal cycle route to school.
Ward added: "That is the sort of knowledge that only comes from talking to people who know an area very well.
"At this stage, it would be wrong to claim we know exactly what our plans will look like or precisely how every piece of feedback will influence them."
Surrey Heath MP Al Pinkerton previously challenged the decision not to hold a public consultation.
Trefor Hogg, joint health overview and scrutiny committee chairman, said that the decision was for the NHS and that he supported it because there was no expected "significant disadvantage" to patients.
Announcing the extended engagement period, Ward said that building a new hospital was a "once-in-a-generation opportunity".
"We're committed to getting it right, and that starts with listening," he added.
The trust will be holding more public sessions and keeping its engagement questionnaire open.
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