PLANS for the proposed Jigsaw building at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital were brought to life with a high tech virtual tour last week.

Around 50 people attended the evening event at the hospital including the mayor and mayoress of Bournemouth, the mayors of Christchurch, Ferndown, and New Milton, local councillors and business representatives.

The two-storey 2,000sqm Jigsaw building will be based between the eye unit and the Derwent suite for orthopaedics and aims to be a centre of excellence for oncology, haematology, gynaecology, breast care and early pregnancy.

Rachel Hall, haematology consultant, explained: “Over the years diagnosis and treatments have changed dramatically, but our physical space obviously hasn’t changed along the way.

“We now treat around 60-90 patients a day in our current chemotherapy area, but it is just too cramped, which obviously affects patient privacy and dignity.”

Tony Skene, breast care consultant, added: “Current facilities are not sufficient and can disrupt the patient experience. Our new building will allow patients to be treated in one place, moving across a corridor for something that might currently be a quarter of a mile walk from one end of the hospital to the other.”

Haematology Consultant Helen McCarthy spoke about her hopes for the Jigsaw garden: “Our plans are to make a tranquil, calm external court yard garden for patients to enjoy.”

Fundraising continues for the outside space project, as well as for new medical equipment for the building.

Richard Renaut, the Trust’s director of service development, said: “The project has come a long way and these virtual images make it seem much closer to reality. We wouldn’t have made it this far without the views and huge support of the local community, so we say a big ‘thank you’ to everybody who has helped us so far.”

The plans are on show in the main atrium. Subject to planning approval, initial work is expected to start in October with a potential completion date of late 2014.

To find our more, visit the website jigsawappeal.org.uk

If you have any comments or questions please call 01202 704060 or email charity@rbch.nhs.uk