Minister's Statement Keeps Door Open For New Malvern Community Hospital

1.14.58pm GMT Tue 13th Mar 2007

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt, has welcomed a statement from Health Minister Andy Burnham MP which has kept the door open for a new Community Hospital in Malvern following the merger of the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust last October.

Mr Burt, who delivered a petition from West Worcestershire residents to Whitehall calling for a share of the £750 million community hospitals fund for Malvern, has welcomed assurances from the Minster on 9th March that, as long as the business case for the hospital remains robust, the strategic health authority will work with the newly formed Worcestershire PCT to secure the capital funding necessary to build the hospital, including the opportunity to bid against the community hospitals fund.

Richard said: "This is encouraging news for Malvern. Despite the financial difficulties faced by the PCT, there is a clear case to be made for a new, purpose built hospital to serve the town and the surrounding area.

"A successful bid against the community hospitals fund would mean less debt to service and therefore lower running costs, making it possible to provide an affordable, purpose built replacement hospital.

"I am confident that the PCT will be able to make a strong case for the new hospital as part of its financial and service plans for 2007-8, and hope that Government will finally put their money where their mouth is and provide the necessary support for capital funding to make it happen.

"After thirty years of knocking on the door, Malvern should now be top of the Government's list of priorities."