The Alexandra Hospital has a “bright future ahead of it” Rachel has said as she welcomes a multi-million pound investment in the town’s hospital.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has confirmed it is working on a £33 million funding bid to construct a brand new operating theatre complex at the Alex as part of their vision to make the hospital an elective centre of excellence.
The purpose-built extension to the town’s hospital will see seven new operating theatres built. This new theatre complex will join the hospital’s seven existing operating theatres which will be retained for two years after the completion of the new build.
The seven new theatres will enable the Trust to help tackle the COVID backlog and provide additional capacity to support a significant increase in the number of patients undergoing surgery within Worcestershire.
If all goes to plan with the outline and full business case approvals, construction work would start in 2023 with the new theatres open and running in 2024.
The total funding bid in the business case is £33 million – a significant increase on the £7 million originally planned for Alex theatre investment in the Acute Services Review.
This latest investment in the Alex follows the opening of a brand new, purpose-built breast imaging unit and confirmation the Garden Suite will be returned to Redditch’s hospital.
Rachel said:
“I’ve long said the Alex has a bright future ahead of it, and this £33 million investment in our town’s hospital is a clear demonstration of that. It’s also further proof the Government is supporting my constituents demands for first class healthcare.
“For many years now I have been pressing the Trust to get on and develop a business case for this theatre development.
“In that time I’m pleased Trust bosses have become much more ambitious and instead of just revamping the current theatres, they are going to build a brand new theatre complex containing seven operating theatres.
“This investment in the Alex will future proof our hospital, clearly demonstrates it can continue to expand and most importantly will ensure the Trust can reduce the COVID backlogs much more quickly.
“I will never stop fighting for the Alex and I will continue to do all I can to secure the return of a maternity and children’s service to our town’s hospital.”