New Hospital Admits First Patient

5.14.35pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th May 2003

Three local MPs (Ann Keen, Vincent Cable and Alan Keen) joined staff of the West Middlesex on Friday to celebrate the admission of the first patient to the new West Middlesex Hospital, which has been completed - on budget and on time - by the French contractors.

Vincent Cable said he was "absolutely delighted at this positive news story for the NHS. For far too long the West Middlesex has had a poor reputation amongst local residents and its appalling buildings have affected performance and morale. It is now dong much better in clinical results; the once awful Accident and Emergency ward is greatly improved; staff recruitments has improved; and there is a spanking new hospital, amongst the most advanced in the NHS".

"The only cloud on the horizon is that there are serious funding problems looming up, mainly because of shortage of money in the Hounslow primary health area, which is the main source of funding for the hospital. It would be unforgivable if the government allowed a financial crisis to disrupt services after the big increase in tax payers money giving into health"