As you will know, great strides have been made towards securing the complete rebuild and upgrade of Addenbrooke's hospital. However I know that for many - especially those who live in and around Ely - the priority is better services within close reach, and not improved facilities that remain further away.
I have and remain committed to ensuring that first-class health services are available within close reach of all of my constituents. At the last election, I campaigned on a promise to do all I could to bring more health services to the Princess of Wales and I'm pleased to report back on some progress.
Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust will soon be bringing forward their proposals for major upgrades at the Princess of Wales Hospital. If approved, the upgraded hospital would ensure increased levels of day surgery, as well as outpatient, diagnostic and urgent care services. There would also be a larger car park to accommodate the increased number of patients that can be seen at the hospital.
I'm afraid this isn't a 'done deal', as there are still significant hurdles. This project would constitute a £45 million pound revamp, and the money would need to be secured from national government. Likewise, the Trust will need to secure planning permission from East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC), which it will be applying for at the start of next year. Lastly, if we're to get the most out of the new hospital, its vital that the local NHS Clinical Commissioning group commit to offering the necessary services within the upgraded hospital.
In the coming weeks and months I'll be continuing to press for our upgraded hospital on each of these matters. I spoke with the management of the Trust last week, and will continue to engage with them as they develop their proposals. I will also be speaking to the relevant contacts at the CCG to try to get them to support the plans. I will make every effort to secure the necessary funding at a national level, so we can turn this vision into a reality.
I'll be sure to publish another update as soon as there is more information. In the meantime you can read more about what is proposed here.
