Today, the Labour Government, along with the Department for Health and Social Care, led by Secretary of State Wes Streeting, has announced a deeply disappointing decision: the funding for the new Whipps Cross Hospital Development will not be available for another eight years. This means the project, which was meant to be a priority for our community, has now been delayed until 2032.
The building programme has been moved into 'Wave 2', with construction expected to start sometime between 2030 and 2034. This is an appalling decision that will undermine the morale of our local NHS staff and is a severe blow to the people who rely on Whipps Cross as their main hospital.
We were promised that the redevelopment of Whipps Cross was a top priority for this government. To now see this promise broken is deeply frustrating for everyone who has fought for a new, modern hospital that our community so desperately needs.
The fact that work on the car park and initial preparations had already been given the go-ahead only makes this decision even more astonishing. Whipps Cross is long past its prime, and the need for a new hospital is urgent. This delay is unacceptable, and I will continue to fight tooth and nail to ensure Whipps Cross gets the rebuild it deserves, as promised.
I won’t stop campaigning until this situation is rectified, and I urge everyone in our community to stand with me in demanding that this vital development is brought back on track.
