Dorset County Hospital Charity is delighted to announce it has now raised £1.1M for its Emergency and Critical Care Appeal. Donations will fund equipment and facilities for the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit at DCH, which is currently under construction.
The total target for the appeal is £2.5M, which will provide funding above and beyond the NHS budget to provide elements such as a new child and adolescent mental health suite, dedicated relatives’ rooms, paediatric critical care bed space, and equipment.
Construction for the new units commenced in Spring 2025 and will provide a new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit that will link to the existing hospital. This will increase the Critical Care Unit bed capacity from 11 to 24. Construction of the £100M project is funded by the Government’s New Hospital programme (NHP).
Chair of DCH Charity, Dave Underwood, said: “We can only raise these funds with the help of our generous supporters from across the local community. The Appeal will raise essential funds for additional, but very important extras to enhance patient care and improve staff wellbeing. This includes enhancing areas for staff to get much-needed rest, overnight accommodation for families, and supporting artistic elements to make the new building the best it can be, for patients, staff, and visitors.”
Head of DCH Charity, Simon Pearson, said, “We are very thankful for donations from the general public and local businesses, community fundraising through challenges and events, regular giving, and gifts in Wills. This is an important milestone for the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal, and we will continue to work with our supporters to help us reach our £2.5M target.”
DCH Chief Medical Officer, Rachel Wharton, said, “The new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit at DCH will significantly improve the hospital’s capacity, and enable us to meet the needs of the local population both now and into the future. Funds raised by the DCH Charity are so important to provide enhancements to this project and allow us to purchase medical equipment, create a child and adolescent mental health suite, and provide artistically designed elements in both new units to help create a healing environment for the benefit of all.”
To donate or fundraise for the Appeal, visit www.dchcharity.org.uk, or contact DCH Charity at charity@dchft.nhs.uk or 01305 253215.
