Sir Michael Spicer, Member of Parliament for West Worcestershire, today said:
"I could hardly believe my ears when yesterday I was rung up by the Minister for Health Services, Ben Bradshaw MP (an old tennis friend of mine from the days when I captained the tennis team of the Houses of Parliament!). After battling for a new hospital for Malvern for some 30 years I was the first to be told authoritatively that a momentous decision had been made finally to go ahead with the project at a cost of £19.3 million. I am gratified that this decision has been made while I continue to be the responsible MP.
There is no question that the existing hospital, which has given Malvern such a wonderful service for so long, has become obsolete. I saw this for myself again when I visited Lansdowne Crescent last week. Even the lick of new paint in the wards could not disguise the fact that the hospital falls far short of modern medical requirements.
It is fortunate that some 20 years ago I managed to help secure the land at Seaford Court so that a site was available for a new hospital to be built there. I did not imagine then that it would take so long to make the decision to do so.
The challenge now is for the hospital to be built as quickly as possible to the highest standards and to provide the full compliment of appropriate services especially a minor injuries unit."
Photo: Malvern Town Council Chairman Mike Selby, Harriett Baldwin, Sir Michael Spicer MP, District Council Leader Serena Croad and Cllrs Ralph Madden and Paul Tuthill at the site of the new Malvern hospital.