Brighton General Hospital

Yesterday Cornerstone Place attended a discussion on the future of the Brighton General Hospital site alongside Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, local MP Chris Ward, Citizens UK and local residents.

The conversation was not really about planning. It was about what public land should be used for.

Teachers, a local priest and students spoke about a growing reality. Families and young people are increasingly priced out of the city.

In the meeting Richard, Co-Founder of Cornerstone Place highlighted that when key workers cannot live locally, the impact shows up in public services through recruitment pressures, staff turnover and reliance on agency staff. Housing is no longer separate from healthcare. It is part of the infrastructure that allows communities to function.

He suggested that while the Trust needs capital for a new health hub, selling the land outright may not be the only option. With collaboration between the NHS, Brighton & Hove City Council and national bodies, the site could potentially deliver both modern health facilities and genuinely affordable homes, particularly for key workers.

It was encouraging to hear from Chief Executive Siobhan Melia and Chair Giles York that the Trust is open to exploring collaborative solutions.

The prize is significant. Hundreds of homes for key workers and people in housing need alongside much needed healthcare provision.

The housing crisis is not just about buildings. With the Brighton General Hospital site it is about whether nurses, teachers and young people living locally can remain part of the communities they serve.