James Paget Hospital is delivering ambitious plans for a state of the art, new hospital for those living in Great Yarmouth and Waveney. The hospital has been prioritised by the Government to be rebuilt and aims to seamlessly integrate the hospital building and local landscape while delivering clinical spaces using modern technology.

The vision of the hospital’s Future Paget Programme aims to ensure that everyone is Proud of the Paget. Strategy As part of the delivery of a landmark new hospital, Meeting Place worked closely with the Future Paget Programme team in facilitating and delivering extensive community consultation to ensure that residents, patients and staff all had an opportunity to comment on the proposals.

This included reviewing materials that were publicised locally, developing a community newsletter encouraging residents to attend one of five events held locally, as well as press statements, social media advertising, hosting near neighbour events and building relationships with those living directly adjacent to the hospital, in addition to stakeholder advice. A total of five events were held across Great Yarmouth and Waveney all promoted through a community newsletter which set out the vision for the proposals.

A total of 228 residents, staff and stakeholders attended across the 5 sessions. In addition, a targeted social media advertising campaign was also launched, and this reached over 62,000 people in the surrounding area. Given the significance of the new hospital proposal, local and national press were also engaged with to promote the consultation to gain positive coverage.

After consolidating the feedback received, it was decided to host near neighbour meetings with those who would be directly affected by the proposals and have specific concerns relating to boundary treatments, screening and noise. A total of three sessions were held, two in person and one remotely on Teams whereby residents could book an appointment to speak to representatives from the Future Paget Programme. 

The submission of the proposed redevelopment of the new hospital represents a major milestone in the strategic long-term vision to transform services in the region.