To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new hospital facilities are available to the residents of Wanstead and Woodford; and if he will make a statement about the funding of further phases of building at Whipps Cross hospital.

Phase 1 of the redevelopment of Whipps Cross hospital cost £18 million. It includes a new out-patient department, four operating theatres, a hydrotherapy pool, a new pharmacy, improved sterilisation facilities and three new wards.

The Forest Healthcare trust is committed to start phase 2 of the redevelopment of the hospital in the next financial year. This will include a dedicated day surgery unit, further expansion of out-patient facilities and two more new wards. In addition, the capital loans fund is financing the development of new facilities for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other day services for people with a learning disability.

And finally, the Government's quality initiative is providing £384,000 to finance a new medical day unit at Whipps Cross hospital.

Having given us that excellent news, can my hon. Friend confirm that the commitment to spend £2·5 million on the start of phase 2 of the Whipps Cross hospital development will continue under the new trust arrangements? Can he give any indication about the further funding of phase 2 that will be needed, beyond that £2·5 million?

On the establishment of the Forest Healthcare trust, responsibility for allocating capital to the trust passes from the region to the Department. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Department will honour the commitment given by the region to provide £2·5 million to get phase 2 under way. For the remaining resources that will be needed, the trust will be competing in the national pool of capital resources that are available to NHS trusts.