Dr Phillip Lee MP welcomed local residents to the Broadmoor Hospital redevelopment update meeting held at the Morgan Centre, in Crowthorne last Friday, October 21.

Joined by senior members of West London Mental Health NHS Trust, the MP outlined the importance of this project for the local area and recounted details of his visit to the redevelopment site, that morning.

Dr Lee told attendees: “The first thing you notice when you arrive is the stark contrast between the sprawling Victorian buildings and the condensed footprint of the new hospital. Regular visits mean I have been able to see first-hand how all hospital departments have worked together to ensure the delivery of this historic, fit for purpose facility.

“Even though there’s still a year of construction work to complete, it’s already evident just what a difference it will make for those receiving care or working there.

The MP also spoke about the security of the site, and specifically the decommissioning of the sirens, which has been the topic of much debate in surrounding communities: “I have raised this issue with John Hourihan, Director of Security - High Secure Services, who has shown me how the hospital design creates an additional layer of security. There has been a step-change in the technological improvements built in to the latest development.

“Not only is the trust installing the latest surveillance equipment, but they’re also in discussions with local partner organisations in a bid to adopt a more co-ordinated emergency alerting approach.

“It seems to me that the only way that the site could be made more secure would be to build a lid on it.”

The Trust has confirmed that negotiations are on-going with neighbourhood alert providers to look at alternative bespoke systems. These will complement the security precautions and be more responsive to the varying needs and different lifestyles of everyone in the local communities.