The reconstruction of the Karlovy Vary Regional Hospital will start next year

Karlovy Vary – The Karlovy Vary Region continues preparing the first phase of the development of the Karlovy Vary Regional Hospital. The aim is to build new facilities for selected outdated hospital departments and equip them with medical technology. Currently, documents are being prepared for the development of project documentation and the issuance of a building permit so that construction can begin next year, informed regional councilor Jan Bureš (ODS).

In the first phase, the region will establish a comprehensive oncology center, which the region does not yet have as the only one in the Czech Republic. A new internal department, neurology, dermatology department, gynecology, rehabilitation, and a cardiovascular center will also be created. "The main benefit of the project should be not only an increase in the quality of medical care but also the acquisition of dignified and modern facilities for patients and healthcare personnel," said Bureš. The construction modifications will also take into account the need for hospitalization of patients with COVID-19 and other infections. According to the councilor, the completion of the first phase is expected in 2025.

The total costs for the implementation of the regional strategic project are around 2.5 billion crowns. The region plans to secure European funding for its implementation. Councilor Bureš previously stated that the region would allocate 120 million crowns next year for the start of the reconstruction. The plan will be carried out in two phases, as proposed by a study commissioned by the region.

In the first phase of the project, the unused pathology and incinerator building has already been demolished, and the demolition of the former lung pavilion is also in preparation. Following this, the reconstruction of Building L, the former infectious department, is next in line, where the blood transfusion station currently located in Vítězná Street in Karlovy Vary should be moved. Additionally, the structurally unsatisfactory Building G is also slated for demolition, where new facilities for outpatient and inpatient health and nursing care are to be constructed. There is also a plan to expand the existing emergency patient reception.

Part of the second phase will be the construction of schools, a parking garage, and adjustments to the public spaces of the hospital complex. "The intention is also for the Karlovy Vary hospital complex to house a new space for the secondary health school, as this logically connects the preparation of future healthcare professionals with the facility where they will complete their practical training," stated Bureš. "And during the current coronavirus epidemic, we have confirmed how necessary it is to provide services for healthcare workers, such as childcare during times when the situation in the hospital is really personnel-tight. Therefore, I would be pleased if a nursery school were built as part of the overall plan," he added.

Further development of the hospital, however, depends on whether the region can secure sufficient funds. The hospital ended last year with a loss of 164.94 million crowns.