The Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Frimley Park Hospital) met on Tuesday 2 June 2026 to discuss the ongoing plans for a new Frimley Park Hospital and the engagement strategy with local communities. The committee elected Councillor Carla Morson as Vice-Chair and deferred the discussion on the new Frimley Park Hospital programme due to ongoing commercial negotiations.

New Frimley Park Hospital Programme Deferred

The committee was due to discuss the new Frimley Park Hospital programme, but this item was deferred to the next meeting. This decision was made because commercial negotiations are still ongoing, meaning Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is not yet in a position to provide details on the programme.

Engaging with and Listening to Our Communities

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the strategy for engaging with local communities regarding the new Frimley Park Hospital. Kirk Ward, Director of Communications and Engagement for Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Ellie Davies, Associate Director of Communications and Engagement for Thames Valley ICB, presented the plans.

Mr. Ward explained that the current Frimley Park Hospital site has significant issues, with two-thirds of it built using unsafe RAAC (Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete) material. The government has mandated that all hospital buildings must be free of RAAC by 2035, necessitating a replacement. The new hospital is intended to provide a modern health service, aligning with the government's 10-year plan for health, which focuses on clear care closer to home, prevention, and the use of digital technologies.

The proposed approach involves a four-pronged strategy: announcing a proposed site for the new hospital soon, building a purpose-built facility to national standards, retaining and repurposing parts of the current Frimley Park Hospital site for outpatient appointments, community services, and diagnostics, and expanding services at Heatherwood Hospital. Community and digital care will also be enhanced, with more services delivered in neighbourhood settings.

Ms. Davies elaborated on the challenges of rebuilding on the current site, citing its small size, constraints from the M3 motorway, adjacent residential areas, Ministry of Defence land, and Grade 2 listed assets. Rebuilding on-site would lead to a prolonged construction period of around seven years, significant disruption for patients and staff, and would require a very tall building, inconsistent with modern hospital standards. She stressed that the current site is not a viable option and that this conclusion has been independently assured.

The engagement plan includes a minimum 13-week focused involvement period following the site announcement, featuring online and paper questionnaires, public events, and pop-up sessions. An independent research partner, ORS, has been commissioned to analyse feedback. The process will include a mid-point review to identify any gaps in engagement and ensure a broad range of voices are heard. The findings will be published transparently, along with explanations of how the feedback has been used.

Councillors raised several points during the discussion:

• Accessibility: Concerns were raised about disabled accessibility in the new extension and the need for genuine engagement with disabled groups during the design process for both the new hospital and any repurposed existing facilities.
• Environmental Concerns: The environmental impact on residential areas adjacent to the existing Frimley Park Hospital site, as well as at Heatherwood, was highlighted as a key consideration.
• Space Utilisation: Questions were asked about the plans for the space left after demolition of the RAAC buildings, with assurances that the land would not be left fallow and could potentially be used for additional services, creating a health hub.
• Communication Strategy: Members expressed concerns about the clarity and effectiveness of communication so far, with some feeling there had been a lack of transparency and a need to manage misinformation. The importance of using accessible language and multiple communication channels, including engaging with local councillors, was emphasised.
• Transport and Parking: The ongoing challenges with traffic and parking at the current Frimley Park Hospital site and the potential impact on Heatherwood were discussed. Detailed traffic modelling and a green travel plan are planned.
• Project Timeline and Budget: The government's deadline of 2035 for RAAC removal was reiterated. The project is nationally funded, and while ambitious, it is a long-term undertaking. The speed of build is dependent on the appointed construction partners, with Sakia being the selected company for Frimley.
• Oncology Unit: The potential for a larger oncology unit within the new hospital was raised, with confirmation that the development of a target operating model for the new hospital would address such service needs.

The committee recommended that NHS Frimley provide a presentation on demand and capacity modelling and ensure the transformation programme is monitored, reporting any necessary corrective actions. They also requested that the Director of Communications and Engagement contact Councillor Carla Morson to discuss potential improvements to public communications and engagement.

The meeting concluded with the confirmation that the date of the next meeting would be published separately.