Edgware Hospital

Oral Answers to Questions — Health – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 7 December 2004.

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Photo of Andrew Dismore Andrew Dismore Labour, Hendon 11:30, 7 December 2004

If he will make a statement on progress with Edgware Hospital's new-build project.

Photo of John Hutton John Hutton Minister of State, Department of Health, Minister of State (Department of Health) (Health)

The current phase of building at the new £40 million Edgware hospital is due to be completed later this month. The new hospital will be operational in March of next year and will provide an expanded range of services, including intermediate care, services for the elderly mentally ill and a dedicated centre for children, thereby improving both the quality and convenience of local NHS services.

Photo of Andrew Dismore Andrew Dismore Labour, Hendon

Does that not show the progress that we have made in the health service, and certainly in my area, bearing in mind that Edgware hospital was closed by the Conservatives in April 1997, before that year's election? Will my right hon. Friend pay an early visit to the hospital to see what we have been able to achieve there, and will he look favourably on our bid for additional diagnostic services, particularly an MRI scanner—to be shared with the Royal National Orthopaedic hospital—and a CT scanner? Such equipment would ensure that we have diagnostic services fit for the 21st century, just as the new hospital will be.

Photo of John Hutton John Hutton Minister of State, Department of Health, Minister of State (Department of Health) (Health)

I am glad to join my hon. Friend in welcoming the new hospital in his constituency. There is no doubt that the NHS is making progress in his part of London. I shall be happy to visit the new hospital when it is operational. We are looking carefully at what additional diagnostic services may be necessary in London and in my hon. Friend's area in particular, including additional MRI capacity. Those decisions will be taken locally, but I can confirm to him that we are looking to significantly increase and improve diagnostic capacity in the NHS in London.