Major plans to expand Dorset County Hospital (DCH) have reached the next stage.

Outline plans have been approved by the council to develop the Dorchester building, in Williams Avenue.

It forms part of a refurbishment programme to expand the facilities at the site to ensure it is fit for purpose and can serve more patients.

Works include building a new emergency department (ED) and critical care unit (CCU) on the site of the former Damers First School. 

The outline plans also take into account longer-term aspirations to improve the building's main entrance, provide integrated care and offer key worker housing for staff.

Last month, DCH unveiled a £15million refurb of its emergency department, featuring a new waiting area and better facilities for staff.

Nick Johnson, interim chief executive at DCH, said: “This is an exciting milestone for DCH and brings us a step closer to expanding our site, including building a brand-new ED and CCU.

"Our hospital is busier than ever, so investment is vital to allow us to provide the highest standards of care for many years to come.

“The new ED and CCU will have a dedicated children’s area, an enhanced recovery service and a mental health suite.

"We will have more beds and the facilities we need to care for our sickest patients. It will also allow us to repurpose the existing spaces to help meet the rising demand for other inpatient services.”

The Trust will now prepare detailed designs and submit them to Dorset Council for approval, with the new units being the first major scheme.

Subject to full business case approval by the Government and full planning permission being granted, construction work is due to begin in 2024.

Work to demolish the former Damers School building will begin in the spring.

This will allow groundworks to be carried out to prepare the site for development.