The multi-million pound redevelopment of Chase Farm Hospital took another major step forward today as the government approved the outline business case submitted by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

The news comes just two weeks after Enfield Council unanimously voted in support of the scheme, which will also deliver hundreds of homes and a new primary school, subject to the agreement of conditions and submission of a reserved matters application.

In total the government is set to contribute £82 million towards the redevelopment, with the rest of the cost met by the sale of surplus land and funds invested by the Royal Free London.

David Sloman, chief executive of the trust, said: “With the positive vote from Enfield Council and now approval of the outline business case, our plans to deliver a secure future and vastly improved facilities for Chase Farm Hospital are fast becoming a reality.

“In the current fiscal climate the fact that the trust and the government are contributing so much money to Chase Farm Hospital is a clear sign of a commitment to investing in its future. The new hospital will allow us to provide world class healthcare to Enfield residents for decades to come.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped us get to this point, including staff, local and national politicians, and supportive members of the local community.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Image: Artist's impression of the new Chase Farm Hospital.

  1. Full details of the application can be viewed at http://planningandbuildingcontrol.enfield.gov.uk/online-applications by entering the search term EN2 8JL in the search box. The planning application 14/04574/OUT is the top item. 
  2. On 12 March the Enfield Council planning committee approved the outline planning application for the redevelopment of Chase Farm Hospital. Before the redevelopment can begin the trust and the council must sign a section 106 agreement and conclude discussions on a number of other reserved matters. 
  3. More information is available at www.royalfree.nhs.uk/chasefarm 
  4. Following the approval of the outline business case the next steps are:
  • Submission of full business case to trust board – autumn 2015
  • Submission of reserved matters planning application to Enfield Council – autumn 2015
  • Approval of full business case by the Department of Health, Treasury and Monitor – December 2015
  • Start of main construction works – January 2016
  • New hospital operational – spring 2018

Media contacts: rf.mediaenquiries@nhs.net or call 020 7830 2963.

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare. 

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, haemophilia, renal, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London.