We are pleased to share a significant update on progress at Salisbury District Hospital, as the HEAT Project moves closer to reality.
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust is planning a new surgical and diagnostic hub at Salisbury District Hospital, so more patients can be seen quickly, in modern facilities that are fit for the future.
The Diagnostic and Surgical Hub (DASH) is a purpose-built facility that will replace the hospital’s ageing day surgery unit and significantly expand surgical and diagnostic capacity for patients across Salisbury and the wider region. It will include five operating theatres, MRI and CT scanning facilities, endoscopy rooms and recovery bays and has been designed to keep planned care separate from emergency services, reducing cancellations and improving patient experience.
DASH is being led by Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust and is fully aligned with the wider HEAT Project. It will be integrated with future stages of development, which will include additional hospital facilities, life science floorspace and key worker accommodation.
You can find out more about DASH and the proposals here.
Have your say
A public consultation on the DASH is now open, running from 29th June to 17th July, and we encourage local people to get involved. There are several ways to share your views:
- Drop-in event: meet the project team at the Crown Court Room, Salisbury Guildhall, The Market Place, SP1 1JH – Tuesday 7th July, 10am-6.30pm
- Exhibition at the hospital: Details of a forthcoming on-site exhibition will be available at www.salisbury.nhs.uk
- Online: visit www.salisbury.nhs.uk to submit your feedback
Please share your views by 17th July.
A planning application for the DASH is expected to be submitted to Wiltshire Council in July 2026, with construction anticipated to begin in early 2027 and the building open to patients in 2028. The scheme has been carefully designed to sit within the existing visual footprint of the hospital, with a strong focus on sustainability, landscape and biodiversity.
Update on the wider HEAT Project
Alongside the DASH, work is continuing on the wider HEAT masterplan. Following the appointment of a project team, we anticipate submitting a pre-application to Wiltshire Council later this year, ahead of a formal outline planning application in 2027.
On the local planning context: as many of you will be aware, Wiltshire Council recently took the decision not to proceed with its Draft Local Plan. While this is a significant change to the planning landscape, it does not alter our intention to progress the HEAT Project and we will be bringing forward our planning application in due course.
We will share further updates as the project develops. If you have any questions, please get in touch via the contact details below. You can also sign up to receive updates here.