High Peak Liberal Democrats
After over 25 years of heading the Harborough Hospital Campaign Cllr Phil Knowles has warmly welcomed tonight's news that NHS bosses have today approved funding for the £7 million plus, scheme.There is still a way to go but hopefully the contractors will shortly be on board and the scheme, delayed on so many occasions will finally proceed.
Phil Knowles said
'' The people of Harborough have waited so long for this new community hospital facility. They have backed the campaign every step of the way and now finally it seems they will have the facility which is richly deserved and much anticipated''
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News Release - 22nd January 2015
The Board of NHS Property Services has approved the business case for new hospital buildings at St Luke's Hospital on Leicester Road in Market Harborough.
The development project represents one of the largest single investments in healthcare facilities seen in Leicestershire in recent times and will provide first class, modern health care facilities for local people.
Regional Director for NHS Property Service, Martin Royal said: "This is fantastic news for the people of Market Harborough. They've been waiting a long time to know what will happen to local health services and this is a major step forward. The purpose built hospital on Leicester Road will provide the best health facilities available."
Dr David Sharp, Director of Commissioning Operations for NHS England (Central Midlands), said: "All of the NHS partners involved in this project are aware of the long history behind it. I am delighted that this significant investment is finally getting off the drawing board and we look forward to working closely with the local community and the council to bring these plans to fruition."
St Luke's Hospital currently houses NHS services such as stroke rehabilitation, palliative care and endoscopy. Other local services including minor injuries, radiography and ultrasound, outpatient facilities for rehabilitation, speech and language, and some specialist services are provided from the District Hospital on Coventry Road. These services will transfer to the new development at St Luke's meaning comprehensive care on one site.
Karen English, Interim Managing Director for East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group said: "We are delighted that the business case has been approved and that work can now get underway at St Lukes. There will be a wide range of services available for local people enhanced by the addition of purpose built facilities for an urgent care centre and GP practice as well as space for mental health services. We believe the development will be of great benefit to the community and to local healthcare."
NHS Property Services has been working closely with NHS England, the CCG, Harborough District Council and the local community to ensure the protection and preservation of the war memorial currently situated at the Coventry Road site.
Andy Donoghue, Regional Programme Manager for NHS Property Services said: "We understand how important the memorial is to local people and we are committed to its preservation. If the commissioners declare the building surplus to requirements we will make it a condition of sale that any future developer should preserve and maintain public access to the monument. We are currently working with councilors and officers from Harborough District Council and English Heritage to determine the options for how the war memorial can best be protected for future generations."
All three NHS teams are looking forward to working closely with the local community and the council to bring these plans to fruition. A contract will now be issued to Morgan Sindall of Birmingham who will complete the build. Contracts must be agreed and signed before work is anticipated to start in late spring. The new St Luke's hospital is expected to open in the summer of 2016.
NHS Property Services is wholly owned by the Secretary of State for Health. It owns the legal title to assets worth £3 billion and employs more than 3,000 staff across England.
It was set up to manage the estate that was previously managed by Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities, which were abolished from 31 March 2013 under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
The company runs and manages the estate on behalf of NHS England and Clinical Commissioning Groups. This covers some 4,000 properties from GP surgeries and health centres to administrative buildings. Around 70 per cent of the estate comprises buildings that are used for clinical purposes.
For more information please contact NHS Property Services Midlands and East Communications on 01223 597786.
For urgent out-of-hours media inquiries relating to NHS Property Services Ltd, please call 0844 822 2888 and quote code NHSPS 05 (communications) See www.property.nhs.uk . Follow us on Twitter @NHSProperty
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