FOREST people have this week got their first opportunity to see what the new hospital for the district will look like.

Health chiefs have issued an artist’s impression and plans for the new facility and they are asking for the views of locals – although you will have to act quickly to beat the deadline

Drawings and designs for the building are being made public this week ahead of a meeting of the Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust board next Thursday (July 15) to sign off the final business case for the new hospital.

If the business case is approved, the trust will submit a planning application to the Forest Council for the new 24-bed hospital in Steam Mills Road, which will replace the existing Dilke and Lydney hospitals.

If planning permission is granted, it is hoped work will start on building the new hospital early next year with the patients being admitted in summer 2023.

The plans – and a feedback form – went online at www.ghc.nhs.uk/foresthospital on Wednesday (July 7).

Comments can be made until the end of Friday, July 23.

Angela Potter, director for strategy and partnerships at the Trust, said: “We are delighted that after so much hard work and preparation we are nearly ready to begin the planning and construction of a great new health facility for the Forest of Dean.

“We are committed to providing the best facilities we can for the people of the Forest, and to offer services with the best possible outcomes.

“A modern hospital will be a much-needed addition to the district for both residents and NHS staff.

“Naturally, we want to continue to work with the Forest of Dean community on this project – as we have done over a number of years – and would invite everyone to look at the plans and drawings, ask questions and leave their comments.”

Several aspects of the six-year project have been controversial including the public consultation process, the number of beds and the choice of Cinderford as the site.