New Harlow hospital 'will be built' despite review into government pledge
Harlow Council says work continues to replace Princess Alexandra Hospital - amid uncertainty about government plans
Last updated 1st Aug 2022
An Essex council has recemented its commitment to build Princess Alexandra Hospital’s replacement after people were left waiting for A&E treatment for up to 13 hours.
A replacement for hospital in Harlow is set to be one of 40 new hospitals across the country promised by the government.
But earlier this month it emerged the National Audit Office (NAO), the government’s spending watchdog, is planning a review of the pledge to build the hospitals by 2030, and will consider increasing costs caused by spiralling inflation.
This also comes after a viral video emerged of people in the hospital’s emergency department being told they would be waiting up to 13 hours to see a doctor.
Leader of Harlow Council Russell Perrin (Con, Sumners and Kingsmoor) responded to questions from Labour opposition councillors at a meeting last night (July 28), who sought reassurance the hospital will still be built.
He said: “The government’s levelling up white paper made crystal clear the announcement for Harlow’s new hospital.
“I am aware that Robert Halfon MP Con, Harlow has met with the health secretary twice in recent weeks about this matter and that it is progressing, as has also been confirmed in parliament many times.
“Council officers and the portfolio holder for regeneration have also recently met with the hospital trust about progress of the project and continue to work with the trust to see our new hospital delivered.”
In his question, Labour group leader Councillor Chris Vince (Little Parndon and Hare Street) claimed the hospital’s chief executive has said its business plan has not yet been approved.
He later asked what the council had done to communicate concerns over waiting times to the hospital.
Cllr Perrin said the concerns had been made directly to the secretary of state for health.
The new hospital in Harlow to replace Princess Alexandra is being planned for near the new junction 7a of the M11.
Michael Meredith, director of strategy at Princess Alexandra, told Essex County Councillors in April that the new hospital is not expected to be built until at least 2028.