New hospital plans on hold

Plans for a new hospital in Harlow have been put on hold following a review of government finances by new Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

The new £400m hospital was one of 40 promised by former PM Boris Johnson before the 2019 election and was originally expected open this year (2024) on a greenfield site close to Junction 7A on the M11. 

However, a senior manager said earlier this year that the date might might slip to 2032.

The current hospital was first opened in phases between 1958 and 1966, with further wings opened in 1996 and 2004. It has been described as being "at the end of its life", with £9-£10m a year being spent in keeping the site going. The hospital also suffers with sewage leaks with 40 reported across the estate in 2022.

Speaking in Parliament, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a review of the previous government's New Hospitals Programme as part of measures to address a £20bn budget shortfall.

In response to review, the NHS Confederation, which represents the healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, warned: "In hospitals and other services where there are collapsing roofs, broken equipment and outdated facilities, with each day that passes without a longer-term fix more funding is having to be used to provide short-term solutions to allow for the provision of patient care to continue.

"For the government to be able to deliver on their key pledge to drive down waiting lists and ensure the NHS is fit for the future, the pause to the delivery of the new hospitals programme must be as short as possible and NHS leaders need clarity about timelines."