Hospital rebuild could replace demolition plan

Plans to build a new hospital in Harlow could be replaced by an extensive rebuild of the existing site instead, its chief executive has said.

The leading option is to demolish the Princess Alexandra Hospital and create a new facility outside the town on land near junction 7A of the M11 in Essex.

But hospital chief Thom Lafferty told the BBC they were now considering redeveloping each existing department gradually - because of "the state of risk" in some areas.

Work on the project, expected to cost up to £2bn, is due to begin between 2032 and 2034, with completion by 2040.

Under the previous Conservative government, it was hoped a new facility would be built by 2024 - but this slipped to 2030.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced in January 2025 that Labour would press ahead with the plan.

Lafferty said on Thursday that a total rebuild on greenfield land near the M11 was still his priority.

However, he added: "Because of the state of risk that we experience with our estate, [we are] looking at alternative options - including, potentially, the redevelopment of this site."

He said they were looking at whether redevelopment could mean people living in west Essex would get a new hospital sooner than 2040, with the most unsafe areas being prioritised.

"We are trying to work with local government and local NHS regulators to see if we did change that, whether that would have any impact on expediting our plans," he said.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital was opened in 1963.

Lafferty said staff were suffering operational disruption every week due to the ageing building, and claimed it was impacting morale.

He revealed an emergency closure of the maternity theatres had to be made recently, causing operations to be cancelled.

"Staff have every right to want to work in a hospital that is fit for purpose both in terms of modern facilities but also in terms of capacity," the chief added.

"Unfortunately, we can't offer that to our staff at the minute."

Chris Vince, the Labour MP for Harlow, said he was determined to secure a new hospital for the town.

He said: "We've got some draft ideas about what this site could look like but, of course, there's a long way to go."

Speaking separately to BBC Look East, Streeting insisted the project was "very high" on his agenda and he would accelerate it if that became viable.

"I can understand why for people waiting that feels like a long way away, it is a long way away," he said of the planned 2040 opening date.

"We're bringing forward schemes where we can, where it's affordable to do so."

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