THIS photo, taken by Mark Turner of Cinderford, shows what the new Forest of Dean Community Hospital looks like from the air.

Patients first moved into the new Forest of Dean Community Hospital, in Cinderford, at the end of April.

Services were transitioned gradually from the 47-bed Dilke Memorial Hospital and Lydney and District Hospital, with all services set to be up and running by the end of May 2024.

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust say this marks a significant milestone in modernising healthcare for the Forest with a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services now being provided from the purpose-built facility which meets the latest clinical quality and safety standards.

As well as improved facilities, the 24-bed community hospital is far more sustainable than the former hospitals, they say.

It showcases various features that make it a model of sustainability and environmental best practice, according to hospital bosses.

This includes improved energy efficiency – the hospital will be a net contributor of electricity to the national grid, so its carbon footprint will decline over time, which could lead it to achieve net zero in the future.

There has also been extensive consideration for the surrounding wildlife, such as dormice and bats, to ensure the hospital does not encroach onto their existing habitats, hospital chiefs say.

As an example, prior to construction the team was on site overnight to carry out light level surveys to understand how the design would impact on the bats’ flight path and are now installing dimmable night-time lighting at the hospital entrance.

Additionally, the hospital incorporates bat and bird boxes throughout the site, while also committing to planting of significantly more plants and trees than were previously in situ, which will ultimately enhance its biodiversity by over 10 per cent.

An official opening ceremony for the new hospital will be taking place in June 2024.

The Lydney Hospital site has been placed on the market with the Gloucester branch of property consultants Alder King with offers being invited for the whole site or individual parts.