THE long-awaited improvements at the Alexandra Hospital are scheduled to begin next year, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed.
The news comes after extensive lobbying by local MP Rachel Maclean who successfully secured a £2.3million loan that hospital bosses needed their submit a business case.
This was because the delay in the work had been so long that the original sum earmarked for the project – part of the £29.6million awarded to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in 2017 – was no longer sufficient due to inflation.
The Trust was awarded this funding by the government in 2017 to implement the plans outlined in the Future of Acute Services Review in Worcestershire.
The Alex hasn’t yet received any funding from the £29.6million pot but under the scheme proposed the money will be spent on improvements to the elective care centre, endoscopy, children’s outpatients and an upgrade in theatres.
Mrs Maclean said: “Our town’s hospital has a bright future ahead of it and I will continue to campaign to get services back at the Alex.”
The Trust will have to repay the £2.3million loan back to the Department of Health in the coming years.
