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65 Million Pounds For Modernisation Of Barnet General Hospital

  • Published date:
    12 February 1999

Health Minister John Denham announced today that the people of Barnet and West Hertfordshire will benefit from a brand new £65 million building at Barnet General Hospital.

Work on the building which will house 30 departments including a Coronery Care unit will begin immediately. The new building will open in 2002.

This is the second phase of Barnet General Hospital's development which is one of the major capital development schemes highlighted in 'Modernising the NHS in London', a report published on 3 February. The report outlines progress on implementing the recommendations set out in the Turnberg report, an indepth study into London's health services.

The new hospital building funded through the Private Finance Initiative, is part of the largest hospital building programme in the history of the NHS.

This is the 10th major hospital PFI scheme, bringing the total value of major PFI schemes that have reached financial close to £1,041 million since the building programme was launched by former Health Minister Alan Milburn in July 1997.

Once completed Barnet Hospital will be the most modern District General Hospital in London. It will boast state of the art technology, including one of the first computerized patient record systems in the UK. Doctors and Nurses will be able to access patients records at the touch of a button, from anywhere in the hospital.

Patients will also have access to advanced medical equipment such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner, not previously available at the hospital.

On completion, Barnet general will have 459 beds, serving a population of 280,000 in Barnet, Hertfordshire and part of Enfield.

John Denham said today:

Today's announcement marks an important step in the Government's programme to modernise the NHS. Barnet District Hospital will have state of the art technology, that will help to increase the efficiency of patient care.

The new hospital building will be the most modern anywhere in the UK, and will provide an indispensable service to Barnet and surrounding areas.

"I congratulate all concerned with the scheme who have spent 4 years working towards today's announcement."

Notes to Editors

  1. The government has launched a £2.2 billion hospital building programme through the Private Finance Initiative. Launched in July 1997, it is the largest hospital building programme in the history of the NHS. Six new hospital developments totalling £217 million are also being built using public funds.
  2. Each PFI scheme needs to meet demanding value for money criteria at every stage of the process. All major schemes require the approval of Ministers at both the Department of Health and the Treasury. The best deal for the taxpayer is assured.
  3. The new building at Barnet General Hospital is a development through a joint venture under the PFI scheme, financed by Metier Healthcare, a private sector company owned by Bouygues LTD and Ecovert South Ltd.
  4. Stage one of the redevelopment of Barnet Hospital was commisioned in March 1997, using public funds.
  5. 'Modernising the NHS in London' was published on 3/2/99 by the NHS Executive. Media copies available from the Department of Health press office.
  6. The Turnberg report was commissioned by the Department of Health as a review of London's health services. It was compiled by Sir Leslie Turnberg. Media copies available from the Department of Health press office. Tel 0171-210-5221
  • Contact:
    Press officer
  • Address:
    Media Centre, Department of Health
    Richmond House, 79 Whitehall
    London
    SW1A 2NL
  • Phone:
    Media Centre
    020 7210 5221

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