Oral Answers to Questions

Elliot Colburn Excerpts
Tuesday 10th March 2020

(4 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robert Halfon Portrait Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)
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4. What progress he has made on new hospital projects.

Elliot Colburn Portrait Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)
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22. What steps he is taking to build new hospitals.

Edward Argar Portrait The Minister for Health (Edward Argar)
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We have announced £2.7 billion of funding for six new hospital schemes under HIP1—the first tranche of the health infrastructure plan; and £100 million of seed funding for a further 21 schemes covering 34 hospitals under HIP2, ready to go to the next stage. That is 40 new hospitals in total.

Edward Argar Portrait Edward Argar
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I agree entirely. I am looking forward to visiting it with my right hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) soon.

Elliot Colburn Portrait Elliot Colburn
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It is thanks to this Government that we have £500 million of investment in the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, not only to improve existing hospitals but to build a third new one as well. Does the Minister agree that this is excellent news for local patients and will he encourage my constituents and those in surrounding areas to get involved in the consultation on where the new hospital is to go?

Edward Argar Portrait Edward Argar
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is indeed excellent news. As he will be aware, the public consultation process is under way. It would be wrong for me to prejudge that, but I encourage everyone to participate.