The rate at which this project moves forward will be entirely dependent on incoming funds. As soon as we have accurate estimates of the funding thresholds necessary to begin the various phases of the project we will post these in news. No phase will be begun without there being funding already available to carry it to completion. In the event that the trustees decide that there is no realistic prospect of completing the hospital project, the hospital fund will be closed and the assets transferred to the grants fund.
Phase 1
The first actions to be taken when the fund has built to an appropriate level will be to engage the services of an architect to design the buildings that are to be used for the hospital. Prior to this we will be collecting opinions from anyone interested in having an input into exactly what the 'hospital of the future' should look like. To see some of the ideas already envisaged, please look at these plans.
It is intended that the hospital will serve as a template for the development of more hospitals at a later date. Once it is up and running as an active unit, proposed modifications will be continually assessed as to whether they could improve efficiency. A new design will then be prepared which will incorporate any changes that it has been decided will improve the functioning of the overall model.
Furthermore, the design will be modular, so that expansion on any existing hospital sites will be easily carried out with the latest available improvements already incorporated, and any new building that is planned will immediately use the new designs.
Phase 2
This will comprise the search for a suitable site for building the hospital. Such a search will involve not just taking account of physical parameters such as weather and local infrastructure, but also have to take account of political concerns such as the likely sympathies or otherwise of the local authorities to the nature of our project.
A weighting system will have to be set up to account for all the variables that will need to be considered in order to come to a conclusion as to the best site to build the first hospital. Several possible sites around the world will be reviewed before a decision is taken. Purchase of a site and tendering of the building contracts will complete this phase.
Phase 3
Building will commence in this phase and during this time sources for all the equipment and ancillary products will be sought and located. At the same time we will post notices in the various media advertising the need for qualified personnel to work in the hospital, assuming we have not already pre-selected those that we will need.
Phase 4
In this final planning phase, a budget will be drawn up for all the running and maintenance costs for a working hospital. Finance will have to be available for at least a six month start up period before the go-ahead will be given for an actual start date to be announced.
In order for this to happen, detailed plans will be made for the activities that will take place within the hospital itself, including which treatments will be available, and therefore how a prospective patient might expect to be assessed and treated. As this is a completely novel concept which has no precedent it may be necessary to bring in consultants to advise on time & motion aspects.
Phase 5
An opening date for the hospital will be announced, and the first patients will be registered. As the system will never have been tried previously, a date prior to the official opening will be set when all the staff and equipment will be assembled and some rehearsals can be conducted. Education and training programmes can then be planned to fit together with working schedules.