The UK government is set to fund the construction of a new hospital at Whipps Cross in Leytonstone, following campaigning by residents and councillors for years.
This decision is part of the government’s promise to build 40 new hospitals.
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Health Secretary Steve Barclay has confirmed the allocation of funding.
The existing Whipps Cross hospital has faced issues with its aging infrastructure, including serious flooding in July 2021 that forced the closure of the A&E department and disrupted operations.
The new hospital is expected to serve about 400,000 people across Waltham Forest, Redbridge, and parts of Essex.
It is expected that the construction will begin by the end of the year.
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By GlobalDataThe facility will feature 14 new operating theatres and an increase in the number of CT and MRI scanners, allowing for faster diagnoses and an additional 31,000 scans per year.
After the hospital’s opening, the surrounding Whipps Cross site will be transformed to accommodate up to 1,500 new homes, with half of them being affordable housing.
Waltham Forest Council leader councillor Grace Williams said: “For decades Waltham Forest Council has been campaigning alongside residents and hospital staff for improvements to Whipps Cross.
“The importance of this issue for local people was demonstrated by the 11,000 people who signed our Whipps Won’t Wait Campaign petition. Thank you to everyone who got involved – your support has been vital in showing the Government the strength of local feeling on this issue.”
