Construction has begun on a new Department of Critical Care at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester that will replace the existing unit and provide upgraded facilities for seriously ill patients, relatives and staff.
What the new unit will deliver
The trust says the department will open initially with 24 critical care beds and is expected to treat in excess of 1,500 patients a year. The purpose-built layout has been designed to allow future growth so the unit could ultimately reach 36 beds if required.
- Specialist isolation rooms with dedicated ventilation systems so infectious or highly vulnerable patients can be managed safely.
- Improved facilities for families to provide greater comfort and privacy for relatives visiting critically ill loved ones.
- Enhanced staff wellbeing spaces intended to support the workforce delivering round‑the‑clock care.
How this fits with other hospital works
The project is part of a wider programme of improvements across Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, including major fire safety works at the Tower Block. Trust leaders say the new critical care department will support that broader programme.
"Critical care services will continue to operate across both Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals during the transition," the trust said.
The new ventilation and isolation provision has been highlighted as a key safety measure. The dedicated systems are intended to allow staff to care for patients who are infectious or particularly vulnerable to infection without compromising other patients' safety.
Local impact and next steps
The replacement of the existing critical care unit is intended to respond to a rising local demand for intensive services, which the trust attributes to an ageing population and more people living with complex health needs. Work has now moved from planning into construction, with the trust signalling the phased continuation of services across both hospital sites while the new department is built.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial bed capacity | 24 beds |
| Potential future capacity | 36 beds |
| Expected treated patients per year | More than 1,500 |
For patients and relatives this should mean modernised accommodation and improved infection control. For staff, the additional wellbeing space aims to address pressures faced in critical care environments. During the build, the trust has committed to maintaining critical care across both Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals so that urgent services remain available.
Further details on timelines, disruption or service changes during construction have not been published by the trust at this stage. Local residents and patients with forthcoming critical care needs are advised to follow Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust communications for updates.
