New Harlow hospital at risk as Government confirms projects included in infrastructure review

Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex
-Credit: (Image: Martine Xerri/Hertfordshire Mercury)


A brand new hospital in Harlow is at risk of being scrapped after the Government confirmed which infrastructure projects would be reviewed. It comes after Health Secretary Wes Streeting said there would be a review into the Conservatives' new hospitals scheme.

The programme included plans for a new Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. It was promised by the Conservative Party during Boris Johnson's 2019 election campaign and confirmed for funding in 2023.

Official documents have since confirmed that the Princess Alexandra Hospital is one of several projects to be included within a review that will put the scheme "onto a realistic, deliverable and affordable footing". The review will present a full range of options to be taken forward for the overall size and ambition of the programme to provide a clear approach for the programme going forward.

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Earlier this year, before a change of Government, the hospital said it expected work not to start before 2027. The investment has been deemed essential to deliver first-rate care for patients and address health inequality in the growing and ageing local population.

The cost of replacing facilities at the existing 1960s site in the centre of Harlow for new homes by building close to M11 Junction 7a at Sheering has been estimated at £850m. The local MP for Harlow, Chris Vince (Lab.), said he would "continue to fight to get Harlow the investment it desperately needs".

A terms of reference published by the Department of Health and Social Care said: "Key data will be collated for each of the hospitals falling within the scope of the review, including criteria around clinical outcomes, deliverability, cost and estate condition. Data will be drawn from existing sources where possible. Where the information is not held, or not up to date, further data may be requested from NHS trusts or regional teams.

"The hospitals in scope will be prioritised according to the criteria. The review will look at the possible timelines for delivery for each scheme, along with clinical considerations, risk and cost profiles and present a range of options to be taken forward. Options and recommendations for phasing of the programme will then be established for ministers to consider.

"The recommended options for scope, size and phasing will be supported by confirmation of the optimum approach for delivery, underpinning clinical assumptions and the associated commercial strategy."