Derriford Hospital is built on a sloping site and currently the main entrance is located on level 6. To create space for the future development of clinical services, the existing main entrance is to be moved to a new location on the west side of the hospital with an entrance onto level 7. Full planning permission has been granted for this by Plymouth City Council. The planning and delivery of the new entrance is known as the Gateway Project.
Alongside the new main entrance there are plans for a multi-storey car park to be built. The car park will be built by developers Wharfside and leased by Plymouth Hospitals for the use of patients and visitors. Construction is due to commence early summer 2010.
Relocation of the main entrance will allow the separation of emergency and non-emergency services and present an opportunity to relieve congestion in the existing main entrance. It will create a high impact, highly visible entrance welcoming some 8,500 people into the hospital every day, as well as an improved public transport hub, patient drop off area and disabled parking facilities.
The project is currently at the detailed design stage.
Zest is in the process of looking at the different ways we can enhance this exciting new Gateway entrance.
