Join us on the journey to our new hospital.
In this timeline you can follow our progress. From early ideas to final design concepts. From when we ‘break the ground’ to when we open our doors. And a host of other key events, moments and milestones in between.
It’s important to note that at this stage our timings are subject to change so we haven’t included any dates. As this programme last several years, keep scrolling down to see all the key stages of our journey!
We will update this timeline with dates, when we are able to do so.
September 2019
Major health investment plan announced
The Government sets out plans for a major hospital building programme, which includes proposals for a brand new hospital for Harlow
October 2020
New PAH announced as a frontrunner
We are announced as one of the first eight hospitals to get the go-ahead to develop our plans as part of the Government’s health infrastructure plan
Winter 2021
Design Convergence Review
The national team for the New Hospital Programme develop guidance to standardise certain features in each of the new hospitals, including room designs, department layouts and modern methods of construction
May 2023
New Hospital Programme funding announced
Secretary of State Steve Barclay MP, confirms the Government’s commitment to fully funding and building 40 new hospitals by 2030, including the new Princess Alexandra Hospital
Next step
Public consultation for planning application
We ask for your views on our new hospital so we can add your feedback into the local planning application
Next step
Planning application submitted
Having gathered your views and all the other information we need to support our
planning application we now submit this to the local planning authority
Next step
Outline Business Case submitted
We submit an outline business case to demonstrate to the NHSE/I and Government how our new hospital will be affordable, achievable and provide good value for money
Next step
Outline business case approved
HM Treasury gives approval for us to continue with our plans and move to the next stage which is preparing a full business case
Next step
Full business case submitted
We submit our full business case which provides detailed plans to the NHSE/I and Government showing how our new hospital will deliver all the services we need to provide and can be successfully achieved on time and on budget
Next step
Full business case approved
HM Treasury gives us the money to build our new hospital, and we start commissioning all the contractors that will help us build as well as start preparation work on the site before construction can start
Next step
Enabling works are completed
This is the very first step in most construction projects, and covers activities from site preparation, building access routes through to putting up safety signs and installing security fencing
Next step
Construction starts
Construction work starts on our three year building programme, and we can now turn our vision for an exciting, state of the art new hospital into reality
Next step
Construction ends
The building and grounds, including parking spaces, landscaping and other outdoor facilities are complete, ready for us to move in
Next step
Building is fully commissioned
Once the building is ready, we then need to get it fully operational, making sure everything is in good working order and that our staff, equipment, facilities and services are all in place and good to go
Final step
Our doors open!
We welcome our first visitors to the new Princess Alexandra Hospital and celebrate our collective achievement in building a hospital for the future, together!
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