After a decade of lobbying from Robert Halfon MP and a pledge at the last General Election, the Government has today confirmed Harlow’s new hospital will be built, with construction starting in 2025.
The new high-tech health campus, backed by hundreds of millions of Government investment, will be constructed using the latest technologies to ensure that Harlow has one of the best new hospitals in the country. Announcing the news in the House of Commons today, Health Secretary Steve Barclay said:
“Today’s announcement confirms these schemes will proceed and will be fully funded. By embracing modern methods of construction, we will massively speed up the construction phase.”
Harlow’s MP, Robert Halfon, has championed the campaign for the new Harlow hospital for over a decade – described by one former Health Minister as, what “may be a record in the House of Commons”, Mr Halfon has:
- Asked over 45 questions in the House of Commons
- Held 5 Parliamentary Debates
- Brought 6 health Ministers and the former Prime Minister to visit PAH
- Tabled 11 Parliamentary Motions
- Hosted dozens of meetings with Government Ministers and the Prime Minister
Commenting on the announcement, Harlow’s MP, Robert Halfon, said: “Today is an historic day for Harlow as our new hospital is confirmed with its start date for construction works to begin. Most fair-minded people will understand that the project was delayed due to the severe impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic, but I have always pledged to protect our NHS and have campaigned tirelessly in Parliament for over a decade to secure a new Harlow hospital. I made this pledge at the 2019 General Election, and today, the Government has confirmed the funding, the construction start date and the construction method.
“This puts to bed any suggestion that Harlow is not getting a new hospital and I hope that all those who have doubted this investment, will now be welcoming this news - which shows that we are building an even better Harlow and protecting our NHS.
“I want to pay tribute to everyone who has worked so hard alongside me to secure Harlow’s new hospital, including Harlow Council and Essex Council, my neighbouring MPs, Julie Marson and Dame Eleanor Laing, and all of the incredible staff at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
“I have nothing but huge admiration for everyone who works at PAH: the hospital leadership, consultants, doctors, nurses, midwives, porters, cleaners, admin and ancillary staff who work tirelessly to care for our town. I am so pleased that their endless hard work has paid off and we will see a new state-of-the-art hospital health campus in Harlow to support their work in just a few years time.
“I will continue to work hard to drive this development forward and to ensure that Harlow’s new hospital campus delivers exactly what is needed for our town.”
Lance McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust, said: “I am delighted at today’s news reconfirming that there will be a new hospital for Harlow. Our many years of hard work and preparation have paid off, and we can push ahead with our new hospital with certainty and confidence. My personal thanks go to Robert Halfon MP for his tireless work, drive and support over many years to make this a reality.”
Since 2010, Robert has secured over £12 million of cash injections from the Government to massively improve the facilities at the Princess Alexandra, but has always campaigned for a long-term solution. The hospital was pledged at the 2019 General Election and confirmed in the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, which stated that “a new integrated, high-tech healthcare campus to replace the ageing Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow” will be built.
