News Release

18th March 2004

LICHFIELD HOSPITAL

Work on the new hospital in Lichfield is expected to start in summer this year, says Minister of Health Stephen Ladyman in a written Parliamentary Answer to Michael Fabricant. The question and answer as they appear in Hansard appear below:-

Hospital Construction (Lichfield) Michael Fabricant : To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when construction will commence on the new hospital at the St. Michael's site in Lichfield; and if he will make a statement; [160789]
(2) how many car parking spaces will be made available to (a) staff and (b) visitors at the St. Michael's site in Lichfield once the construction of the new hospital is completed; [160790]
(3) how many square metres have been set aside for future expansion of the new hospital at the St. Michael's site in Lichfield once it is completed. [160791]
Dr. Ladyman: Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority expects construction of the new hospital to start during the summer of this year. There will be a total of 217 car parking spaces. Of these, 58 will be specifically for staff and patients using mental health services. There will be an additional 117 public car parking spaces, and 42 reserved for staff. 1,400 square metres have been identified for expansion, plus a further 65 parking spaces.

Michael Fabricant says: "I am relieved to learn that there is still room for hospital expansion as the population of Lichfield rises inexorably. As Lichfield grows in size, so will our health care needs. It was important to get this on the parliamentary record.