Victoria Hospital located in Wimborne is getting a new car park that will provide 45 additional, larger parking spaces.
The community hospital is run by Dorset HealthCare. Friends of Victoria Hospital is a group funding the scheme who bought land formerly occupied by Wimborne Town Football Club to make the expansion possible.
Representatives from both, Cllr Jeff Hart, Mayor of Wimborne Minister gathered for ceremony to mark the start of construction.
Anne Salter, Chair of the Friends said: “This car park will make a huge difference to the local community here in Wimborne.
“As more services are brought into the hospital, it will ease the pressure on patients and visitors. I’m also thrilled to have local firm Woodmace leading the construction, working closely with residents and schools to minimise disruption.”
The project includes environmentally conscious features such as electric vehicle charging points, including accessible bays, wildlife-sensitive street lighting that dims when not in use and new tree and shrub planting to soften the site and support local wildlife.
There will also be a construction of a larger, secure staff cycle shelter, supporting Dorset HealthCare’s Green Plan and NHS carbon zero goals.
Rachel Small, Chief Operating Officer at Dorset HealthCare, said: “Thanks to the Friends, we are meeting our commitment to improving access to our services, and providing the best quality care for people in their local communities.”
Mayor Cllr Hart added: “I’m delighted to be here to open the project. Everyone in Wimborne loves our local hospital and they will be thrilled to see it developing further.”
Construction is being carried out by Poole-based civil engineering specialists Woodmace and work should be completed by January 2026.
Dorset HealthCare provides community health services covering physical and mental health across Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole and Southampton.
Friends of Victoria Hospital Wimborne is a charity, founded in 1935. The purpose of the Friends is to fundraise and allocate resources to support the delivery of first-class services at Wimborne Hospital.