A new intensive care unit could be built in South London to increase capacity and improve the quality of care received by patients. Plans are being drawn up for the new building at Kingston Hospital and construction could start early next year.

Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said it has received agreement in principle to build the new facility at the site on Galsworthy Road. It is now asking for feedback from the public, including staff, patients and their families, as it develops the plans with construction partner Mace Willmott Dixon.

The trust hopes to locate the new building in the centre of the hospital site. It is set to contain four levels, including the intensive care unit, car parking on the ground floor and extra space that could be adapted for future use.

A statement from the trust said: "Outcomes for patients cared for in Kingston Hospital's intensive care unit are nationally recognised and the trust has received agreement in principle to build a new facility on site, which will further improve the quality of the environment for patients, their families and staff working in the unit, as well as increasing the number of ICU beds."

It added: "The development is aligned with our long-term estates plan and clinical priorities for Kingston Hospital, as well as broader South West London strategies."

Jo Farrar, chief executive at Kingston Hospital, said: "We are really pleased to begin to engage with our staff, patients, carers and the public to inform our plans for a new intensive care unit for Kingston Hospital. If our business case is approved, a new unit will enable us to significantly improve the experience for patients requiring critical care, staff working in the unit and also for the families of those receiving care with us."

The trust said construction is expected to begin on site in early 2024, lasting for 16 months, if NHS England approves its business case for the development. It is holding an online engagement event on the plans on April 20, followed by two face-to-face consultation sessions on May 25.