MP's concern over delays to hospital

From the archive, first published Wednesday 22nd Mar 2006.

MP John Maples has joined Alcester Town Council in voicing concern over delays to the hospital project.

Mr Maples met a delegation of GPs and councillors last week to discuss the hesitation by South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust on the construction of the new Alcester hospital.

Movement on the project was thought to have taken a step forward last year when planning permission was granted - but frustrations arose when the PCT asked for additional work to be done on the business and service cases.

Both Mr Maples and the town council have written to the PCT chief executive, Teresa French, to try to establish what needs to be done.

The Stratford MP said: "I have made it clear to Mrs French the very serious local need for this facility and that further delays are really unacceptable.''

He added the project has been on the drawing board for nearly 30 years and everyone thought it had been finalised last year.

In a letter from the town council, members highlighted the residents' concerns over the delays and the disappointment felt when so many commitments had been made by the PCT but never carried through.

The town council wrote: "Proposals seem to have stalled when we fully expected to see building works commence based on the planning consent which already exists.

"It needs to go ahead as soon as possible so that people can start to benefit from its services."

Councillor Nina Knapman said there was an urgent need for better, up-to-date and disabled-friendly consulting rooms.

She added: "For all the meetings the doctor's consortium has held, I feel residents are not only delighted for it to be built but that it is long overdue."

A spokesperson for the PCT said: "A final business case is currently being completed for the Alcester Hospital project and once all the detail is in place, we will be a position to take it forward.

"This is expected to be completed in May and the PCT will be in a position to share further information and timescales following this."

Mrs French will also be attending a council meeting on Monday, April 10.

Archive Home