The original hospital on the site was a workhouse designed by John Whichcord to accommodate 400 people which opened in 1836.

The new hospital was designed by Anshen & Allen[4] and built by Laing O'Rourke at a cost of £230 million.

[7] The new hospital has 512 beds and provides a full range of clinical services including an Accident and Emergency department.

[8] Every inpatient has their own room with en-suite facilities, with ceiling to floor windows revealing views over surrounding woodland.

The maternity unit sees nearly 100 babies born every week and the A&E department treats 50,000 patients every year.