2:45pm Tuesday 24th March 2009
THE bid to build a new Malvern Community Hospital has cleared its final potential hurdle, with the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority board approving the full business case for the project.
The SHA will now recommend the NHS releases the £17.7m needed to fund the project, which is set to open at Seaford Court, in Malvern Link, in autumn 2010.
Ralph Madden, deputy leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said that process should be a formality.
“I am absolutely delighted by this decision,” he added. “This is good news for Malvern.”
Conservative parliamentary candidate Harriett Baldwin, who was also at today’s SHA meeting, added: “We are delighted that the board has supported the project plan. We are thrilled that it is still on track.”
There will now be a major fundraising drive to raise money for equipment for the new hospital. Martin Burton, who is leading the special League of Friends of Malvern Community Hospital fundraising committee, said it would be “all systems go” following today’s decision.
“We have been treading water for the last few months but now the flood gates are open,” he said. “We can expect a lot of activity over the coming months.”
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