For nearly 50 years, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) has been at the heart of our community, providing outstanding care from our hospital on Hardwick Lane. Over the decades, we’ve continually evolved—enhancing our facilities with key additions like the Cardiac Centre, Labour Suite, and Acute Assessment Unit to improve patient experience.
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Working Together to Shape Our Future
As we progress through the business case stages, the work will be developed through a method called co-production. Co-production is a way of creating something together, it does not replace traditional engagement or statutory involvement, but it is a way of working with our staff and community, developing ideas with those it affects the most. It is an approach that the Trust truly believes will deliver the best designed services and facilities as the people who use and understand the everyday workings of those services will be fully involved in the evolution.
Over the last four years, more than 300 workshops have taken place involving members of WSFT staff, patients and local community.
As with each large-scale development, our design progresses through Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) stages the nature of our work will evolve and move from a co-production approach to co-assurance with the input and expertise from earlier stages being instrumental in shaping the vision for our new hospital.
Each step brings us closer to creating a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will transform healthcare for our patients, staff, and communities.
It’s an exciting time, and we remain deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed so far.
Building a digitally intelligent hospital
Our digital strategy, launched in 2023, lays the foundation for the future of healthcare technology at West Suffolk Hospital. Designed in collaboration with our staff and aligned with national ambitions from the New Hospital Programme (NHP), this strategy aims to create an ‘intelligent hospital’—a cutting-edge, digitally enabled facility that enhances healthcare delivery in an innovative and sustainable way.
Embracing smart technology
As part of the NHP, we will implement a range of technologies to ensure we remain at the forefront of digital healthcare. However, technology never stands still. We will continue to build upon our existing digital maturity, optimising and enhancing current systems where possible, while introducing new innovations that support the best possible care for our patients.
A ‘smart’ building
Our digital vision goes beyond clinical technology. We are working closely with our estates and facilities colleagues, alongside technical partners, to create a smart building—a hospital that operates efficiently, meets sustainability goals, and provides an optimal environment for both staff and patients.
The following videos provide an example of our ambition and how technology could assist our staff and patients in the future.
For Staff
Smart systems will support daily workflows, ensuring a seamless working environment. Watch how this benefits staff.
For Patients
Digital enhancements will help improve patient experience, access to care, and overall wellbeing whether you are an outpatient or an inpatient.
Digital strategy for outpatients
Digital strategy for inpatients
A ‘digital first, not digital only’ approach
Our ‘digital first, not digital only’ vision was co-created with staff in 2020 and remains at the heart of our strategy. We have engaged extensively with staff, patients, and the wider community to ensure digital transformation enhances, rather than replaces, human-centred care.
Watch our digital ambitions in action below
Understanding Digital Capabilities
To ensure our workforce is equipped for the future, we conducted a digital capabilities assessment, a national benchmarking initiative that helps us understand staff skills and readiness for digital transformation. This assessment will guide targeted training and support to ensure our teams can fully leverage new technologies.
Planning for Future Equipment Needs
A hospital cannot function without essential equipment, from advanced MRI scanners to vital patient monitoring tools. Our programme team is assessing our equipment needs for the new hospital, ensuring we have the right tools for a modern, digitally enabled environment.
Key considerations include:
- Which equipment will be moved to the new facility
- What new equipment needs to be acquired
- How we can secure the best technology competitively and cost-effectively
- This work is already underway and will continue up until we transition to our new site.
The Future of Digital Healthcare at WSFT
Our digital ambitions are not just about upgrading technology—they are about revolutionising the way we deliver care. By building an intelligent hospital, we will create a healthcare system that is more efficient, sustainable, and patient-centred for generations to come.
Sustainability
Creating a Hospital for the Future
The new West Suffolk Hospital is more than just a replacement for an ageing building—it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a state-of-the-art healthcare facility that is built around the needs of patients, staff, and the wider community. Our vision is to design a hospital that is innovative, efficient, and adaptable, capable of supporting the evolving demands of healthcare for decades to come.
A Sustainable, Net Zero Hospital
As part of the New Hospital Programme (NHP), we are committed to delivering a net zero carbon hospital, ensuring that environmental sustainability is at the heart of our plans. This means designing and constructing a hospital that minimises its impact on the environment, reducing carbon emissions while enhancing patient care and staff experience.
Green and Sustainable Initiatives
We are embedding sustainability into every aspect of our hospital design, from construction to day-to-day operations. Our key sustainability initiatives include:
- Energy-Efficient Design: The new hospital will be built with advanced insulation, energy-efficient glazing, and smart lighting systems to reduce energy consumption.
- Renewable Energy Sources: We aim to incorporate solar panels, air-source heat pumps, and other renewable energy solutions to generate clean power on-site.
- Smart Building Technology: Our facility will utilise intelligent energy management systems, optimising heating, ventilation, and lighting based on real-time usage.
- Sustainable Construction Materials: We are prioritising the use of low-carbon, responsibly sourced materials to reduce our environmental footprint.
- Water Conservation: Water-efficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable drainage systems will be implemented to reduce water waste.
- Waste Reduction & Recycling: A robust waste management strategy will ensure that recycling and responsible disposal practices are followed at every stage of the hospital’s lifecycle.
- Green Spaces for Wellbeing: Access to natural surroundings has proven health benefits. The hospital will be designed with green spaces, gardens, and outdoor seating areas to promote recovery and wellbeing for patients, staff, and visitors.
A Smarter, Greener Future
By integrating smart hospital technologies, we will ensure that our new hospital operates with the highest levels of efficiency and sustainability. Digital tools will help monitor and optimise energy use, track equipment performance, and improve staff workflows, all contributing to a low-carbon and cost-effective healthcare environment.
Our Commitment to a Healthier Environment
The new West Suffolk Hospital will not only provide world-class care but will also lead the way in environmental responsibility. Our commitment to net zero carbon aligns with national NHS targets and reflects our dedication to a healthier future for our patients, staff, and the planet.
By embracing innovation and sustainability, we are building a hospital of the future—one that delivers outstanding care while protecting the world around us.