Health Secretary gives backing to two Hertfordshire hospital developments
HEALTH Secretary Andrew Lansley has given the green light for the development of two hospitals – which means plans for a ‘New QE2’ in Welwyn Garden City can press on.
The Government minister visited the Lister Hospital in Stevenage yesterday (Thursday) to give the Department of Health and the Treasury’s approval for a �71.5m outline business case.
That means the fourth and final phase of the Lister’s �150m transformation into this area’s major hospital – at the expense of the QE2 – can progress.
And it also allows NHS Hertfordshire to move on with its plans to develop a new local general hospital on the current QE2 site in Howlands.
This will provide services including a ‘local A&E’ department, outpatient consultations and diagnostic testing services.
You may also want to watch:
Mr Lansley said it would “bring a 21st century hospital to Welwyn Garden City”.
He added: “The planning application is in and I’ll be pressing the PCT to move ahead as quickly as possible with the New QE2 campus.”
Most Read
- 1 More than 20 arrested following major Welwyn Hatfield county lines drugs operation
- 2 Closing the New QEII at night permanently still to be considered
- 3 Man sentenced to three years in prison for breaking girlfriend's jaw
- 4 Coroner rules Joy Morgan death 'unlawful killing' but finds no cause at inquest
- 5 Mum-of-four loses six stone in just over a year after being unable to play with her youngest child
- 6 COVID-19: Welwyn Hatfield tops Hertfordshire for cases per 100,000
- 7 'Horrific' abuser who 'showed no remorse' sentenced
- 8 Bank becomes latest to be lost from town centre
- 9 Apply for planning permission or move skips and machinery, company told
- 10 Former Spitfire and Hurricane engineer celebrates 100th birthday
Grant Shapps, Welwyn Hatfield MP and one of Mr Lansley’s ministerial colleagues, said that although the QE2 had lost the “battle of the hospitals” back in 2007, it was now time to get on with the job of building the best possible replacement in Welwyn Garden City.
