Government approves the final business case for £484 million redevelopment of Royal Sussex County Hospital.
The Hospital originally put forward an outline business case for £420 million which was approved by the Government last year.
Following this, due to an increase in the costs of the scheme Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven lobbied both the Chancellor and the Health Minister for an additional £60 million to complete the redevelopment.
This additional £60 million was announced in February 2015, taking the total set aside for the redevelopment to £480 million.
Preparatory works started but although the money had been set aside, the full business case still needed to be approved.
Chancellor, George Osborne, said: “Simon has worked very hard over long period of time to help make the case for Brighton’s hospital redevelopment. He has been a loud voice for his constituents and I share his delight that the final business case has been approved. I do not think this would have happened without him.”
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, added: “Simon has been a constant champion for the redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital and this approval of the final business case is a testament to his hard work on behalf of all his constituents. The changes will secure the future of services in Brighton for local people – I look forward to working with Simon to improve healthcare here further.”
Simon said: “The redevelopment of the Hospital is something very close to my heart having lobbied both the Chancellor and the Health Secretary for a long time. Some people were worried that it wouldn’t happen after the Election but I am absolutely delighted at the announcement.
This redevelopment will enable the hospital to provide the very best facilities that the patients and staff deserve. This is great news for our city and the wider area.
I would again like to pay tribute to the hard-working staff at the hospital for putting together such a strong case.”
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