§ 7. Mr. David Rendel (Newbury)When he will announce his decision about the construction of the new Newbury hospital. [77705]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr. John Denham)Officials at the south-east regional office of the NHS executive are currently in discussion with West Berkshire Priority Care Service NHS trust on the funding mechanism for the construction of the new Newbury hospital. Ministers will consider the project once those discussions are complete.
§ Mr. RendelIs the Minister aware that there is a nurse now serving at Newbury hospital who was promised when she did her training as a young person that the new Newbury hospital would be built shortly? As it is still not being built and she is coming up to her retirement, is it not time that the Government stopped saying, "Shortly" and said, "Now"?
§ Mr. DenhamThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that the scheme is unusual and complex. For example, it is the first time that a charity has been proposed to act as a private finance initiative partner. It was also important to examine whether the plans fitted the strategic direction of Berkshire health authority. As the hon. Gentleman is aware, Berkshire is benefiting from a £73 million publicly funded scheme for the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS trust to resite its services at the Royal Berkshire hospital. That is one of the 31 major hospital developments worth almost £2.4 billion that make up the largest hospital building programme in the history of the NHS.