100th new hospital

Yet more great news on the NHS to report to you.

The Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, today announced that the 100th new hospital scheme to be built under the hospitals building programme has opened its doors to patients.

The scheme, launched by the NHS Plan in 2000, set a target of opening 100 new hospital schemes by 2010 to replace aging and unsuitable infrastructure through a mixture of PFI and public capital funded schemes.

That target has been met two years early.

Since 2000 the Government has invested £12 billion to ensure NHS facilities are fit for a modern 21st century health service.

In 1997 over half the NHS estate dated from before 1948 - a figure which is now 20 percent.

The programme is not just about replacing old buildings but is also helping to improve the patient experience, modernise services and improve access and choice.

100 hospital schemes, worth £6.1 billion, are already open.

Another 31, worth £5.9 billion, are under construction.

In total, we actually have 126 hospital schemes worth £10 billion timetabled to finish construction and opened by the end of 2010.

I think that this is fantastic news for everyone in St. Helens South and around the country - and I’d love to hear what you think, too.