THE trust that runs Heatherwood Hospital is inviting the public to meet health bosses to discuss the planned £72million investment plan.

Ascot based Heatherwood used to be part of the trust that also ran the area's acute Slough hospital at Wexham Park. But following years of financial problems the entire trust was taken over by the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust which has organised next week's public meeting.

The meeting is being held at Ascot Racecourse this Thursday (August 4) from 3pm to 7pm.

It follows a similar event held in April as the trust works to involve the local community in the plans for major changes at the hospital.

The plans are now at a more advanced stage – particularly in relation to the proposed residential scheme.

Frimley Health director of HR and corporate services Janet King said: “We do hope you will join us to see our latest ideas for this great development.

“Heatherwood and the services it provides are important to the local community and we have one chance to secure a long term future.

“We want to make sure that people understand where we are heading and why, and to listen to what is important to them as we develop the plan in greater detail.”

The aim is to make Heatherwood a 'planned care' centre, offering non-acute care for people across Windsor and Slough area. Chunks of the old hospital site will be sold off to fund new buildings, although treasured parts of the site such as the Bronze Age bell barrow will be protected.

The new buildings will be constructed in surrounding woodland to make them modern and attractive.

There is no need to book a place at next week's public meeting, just turn up any time after 3pm and stay for as long as you wish up to 7pm.

The timetable for the new look hospital would see planning application hopefully obtained by the end of the year, building work beginning in spring 2017 and the new hospital complete by summer 2019.

You can find out more about the development of Heatherwood Hospital on the Frimley Health website as information is added at www.fhft.nhs.uk/about-us/the-future-of-heatherwood-hospital