Brooks pushes for community hospital answers

Brooks Newmark has once again demanded answers from the Government about the delay in building Braintree's much needed community hospital. Braintree MP Brooks Newmark has once again demanded answers from the Government about the delay in building Braintree's much needed community hospital.

During questions to the Leader of the House of Commons yesterday Brooks said:
"Braintree community hospital was due to be completed last December. Unfortunately, not a single brick has been laid. When I asked the head of my strategic health authority what was going on, he explained that no business plan had been delivered because of the deficits in my primary care trust. May we have a debate on the funding crisis in our PCTs."

Terry Hanafin, Chief Executive of Essex Strategic Health Authority has admitted in a letter following his meeting with Brooks that the 'Full Business Case', which is needed before the project can proceed, will only be ready in late summer or early autumn this year.

Mr. Hanafin also confirmed that the new Community Hospital remains a "key priority" but that progress has been "slower than intended" because the Private Finance Initiative scheme at Broomfield Hospital has yet to be approved by the Government.

Brooks said, "I have met with the Chairman and Chief Executive of Broomfield Hospital who have also confirmed that no Full Business Case has been forthcoming for the new community hospital.

I will be meeting with Paul Zollinger-Read, the Chief Executive of the Care Trust, in order to discuss the progress on the hospital. I will also be attending the public meeting scheduled for 20th April at St Michael's Hospital.