A £3 million development is underway to improve access at Victoria Hospital in Wimborne, with work beginning on a new car park designed to support patients, visitors and future services.
The Friends of Victoria Hospital are funding the project, which will provide 45 additional parking spaces. The land was formerly used by Wimborne Town Football Club and was purchased to allow the hospital site to expand.
The scheme is being delivered by local firm Woodmace, and was formally launched with a groundbreaking event attended by hospital representatives, local councillors and community members.
The new car park includes electric vehicle charging points, accessible bays, wildlife-sensitive lighting, tree planting and a secure staff cycle shelter. These features form part of Dorset HealthCare’s Green Plan, aimed at supporting the NHS’s net zero goals.
Dorset HealthCare says the work supports improved access to hospital services in East Dorset. The Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Councillor Jeff Hart, welcomed the project and praised the local support for the hospital.
Construction is expected to finish by January 2026. The Friends of Victoria Hospital have set aside a further £2 million for future upgrades to the site.
Photo, left to right:
Martin Worth – Woodmace Site Manager
Nigel Cooper – Woodmace Commercial Lead
Lee Hardy OBE JP – Friends of Victoria Hospital Wimborne
Tom Bending – Woodmace Contracts Manager
Airi Jones – Deputy Chair (DCH) and Joint Non-Executive Director
Tracey Louise McDonagh – DCH Area Facilities Manager
Clare Dickinson – VHW Facilities Manager
Alex Lister – Service Director Integrated Community Services, DHC
Rachel Small – Chief Operating Officer, Dorset HealthCare
Richard Craigmile – Capital Project Manager
Linda Hollingbery – Friends of Victoria Hospital Wimborne
Anne Salter – Friends of Victoria Hospital Wimborne (Chair)
Paul Williams – Head of DHC Capital Planning Department
Ben Palmer – Architect – Quorum Partnership Architects