Council responds to Whipps Cross Hospital announcement

The Leader of Redbridge Council has responded to this week's announcement that the rebuilding of Whipps Cross Hospital will not start until 2023 at the earliest.

The Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Kam Rai, said: "We're naturally disappointed and concerned that Whipps Cross Hospital has failed to be included in the first phase of the New Hospital Programme.

"At the same time, it's difficult to ignore the government's financial challenges and the well-documented lack of capacity in the construction industry.

“The redevelopment of Whipps Cross presents significant opportunities. A new hospital in the heart of East London will attract some of the world's finest clinicians while paving the way for much-needed homes for frontline workers. The new facility will also modernise health services for local people, ensuring one of our leading local hospitals is better equipped to meet the ever-increasing demands of the communities it serves.

“It's vital that these plans are not left to gather dust. We are committed to working with Waltham Forest and other partners to bring these plans to life as soon as possible. I will also continue dialogue with the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to champion our joint objective of delivering the very best health outcomes for the residents of Redbridge.”