First images of hospital makeover

Just months ago it appeared on the verge of collapse.

Pictured right: artist's impression of how the hospital will look.

Skanska Innisfree has been appointed to carry out the Private Finance Initiative rebuild which will see a number of rundown buildings, some more than 150-years-old, knocked down and replaced with state-of- the-art facilities equipped with the latest technology.

Around 40 per cent of the hospital's buildings were declared in an "unacceptable condition" following a survey.

The main entrance will be moved from Moat Road to Pleck Road and the majority of services will be brought under one roof. They are currently spread across the site in a number of small buildings including the Victorian East and South Wings which will be replaced.

Skanska has today released a number of images showing how the hospital will look by the time work is completed in 2010 - underlining just how massive the transformation will be.

New services will include a diagnostic and treatment centre together with a women's, children's and young people's centre linked to the existing maternity unit in the West Wing.

There will also be an education centre to train NHS staff from within the trust and across Walsall.

Sue James, chief executive of Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust, said she was delighted work on the long-awaited project would start soon.

She said: "I am delighted we are now able to progress our plans for an exciting new chapter in healthcare provision in Walsall.

"I am very grateful for all the support we have received from the public and politicans of Walsall to enable us to reach this milestone point in the development of the hospital. Our long-awaited scheme will definitely start before Christmas." Back in April fears were raised the re-development was to be axed following the Government's decision to put a freeze on privately funded NHS projects.

Chancellor Gordon Brown made the ruling to ensure the taxpayer, who eventually foots the bill for the privately financed developments, gets value for money. Critics claim PFI schemes are a money-making racket. Once the work is completed Skanska will lease out the buildings to the NHS, funded by the taxpayer. In August the development was declared back on track although the total outlay allowed for the rebuild was cut by £20 million from £160 to £140 million.

Initially patients will see little change as the early work will focus on preparing the land for the development. The new facilities will be put up alongside the existing buildings. Once each part of the development has been completed services will be moved into the new building and the old one eventually knocked down. Two companies, Skanska and Carillion, were shortlisted to carry out the project. Skanska's managing director Rob Shed today said the company was thrilled to have been awarded such a massive scheme. The work will build on other major redevelopments which have taken place over the past few years to improve health services at the hospital.

A £20 million West Wing and a new accident and emergency department were opened in 1989 to replace the town's ageing district general hospital.

This was followed by the construction of a £10 million maternity wing which opened in 1994. The three storey block replaced cramped and out-dated labour wards and and features around ten delivery suites.

Exclusive by Emma Tate