BOSSES for the new hospital site in Ascot have delayed the opening date after major flood damage was found to be affecting the lower levels of the site in spring this year.

The delay comes after it was reported that a burst pipe in the lower floors of the construction site of Heatherwood Hospital had been left unchecked over the May Bank Holiday Weekend.

ALSO READ: Hospital bosses provide update after major flooding found in building lower floors

One source, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the damage left approximately two-feet deep flood water in the bottom two floors of the building.

However a spokesman for Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust refuted the claim at the time, saying the flooding was "closer to two inches" in depth.

When The News pressed for more information in July, the spokesman said that bosses were waiting on the results of a safety investigation before making further plans on when to officially open the site.

However yesterday, Wednesday, September 15, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust said in a statement released on their website: "We are delighted to confirm that we are planning to open our new hospital at Heatherwood in Ascot to patients by the end of March 2022.

Bracknell News:

"We have also agreed with our construction partners Kier to take over the £100m new building at the start of November, when we can start work on fully fitting it out and preparing ourselves to receive patients.

"The new hospital will be a flagship facility for Frimley Health. It will be among the very best and most efficient hospitals of its kind in the UK with the potential to double patient activity at Heatherwood over the next 10 years.

"After services at Heatherwood transfer to the new hospital site, the current hospital site will be released for new housing."

ALSO READ: Flooding damage to new hospital site could delay opening

Commenting on the impact of the flooding on the new site, the spokesman added: "Keeping our staff and patients safe and minimising risk has always been our top priority.

"We will continue to work closely with our construction partners, Kier, and keep timings under review with this in mind.

"While we are assured any risks created by the water damage that occurred when the new building was under construction in May have been removed, we will continue to monitor this for some years to come so we can be certain risks do not re-emerge."

Once complete, the new NHS hospital will provide six top-of-the-range operating theatres, a range of outpatient services and up-to-date diagnostics in a superb new building set into woodland.

For more information, visit www.fhft.nhs.uk/news/.