Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, has welcomed the approval of the full business case by the Department of Health and Social Care and Treasury, together with their confirmation of the associated £58M of national funding for a new Emergency Department at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
In 2018, QA put forward a proposal for the redevelopment of the ageing accident and emergency area which will deliver improved urgent care for Portsmouth and South East Hampshire. The projected cost of the scheme, at £58.2million is significant but is vital to securing a long term solution for the overstretched service.
The MP has played a vital part in both the bid and its successful outcome. At a meeting with Mark Cubbon, the previous Chief Executive of the hospital, Caroline suggested that they bid into the STP Capital scheme which the Department of Health & Social Care had announced. The bid was submitted in early September 2018 and Caroline wrote to and met with the then Minister of State for Health, Steve Barclay MP, to highlight the vital importance of this bid for the wider Portsmouth area.
Commenting on the announcement Caroline said:
“I’m delighted that QA have been successful in this redevelopment bid. I was determined to help argue for it because staff and patients alike have struggled with inadequate emergency facilities at the hospital for far too long. This is vital to safeguard patients and ensure effective and efficient treatment.”
The new department is due to be compete in advance of Winter 2024 and will be a modern, fit for purpose facility for high quality care. In doing so it will improve patient safety, as well as ensuring the hospital delivers effective and efficient clinical practices; whilst also reducing admissions rates and confusion.
