Prime Minister tells Brighton MP that £420m hospital revamp will be approved soon

The Prime Minister David Cameron has written to Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby about the future of the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Mr Cameron said that “an approval decision” about funding for the £420 million redevelopment of the hospital was expected shortly.

He also praised the efforts of his fellow Conservative MP in making the case for funding on behalf of his constituents.

The letter followed up Mr Kirby’s question to the Prime Minister in the House of Commons on Wednesday 16 October.

The day before Mr Kirby handed in a petition from constituents calling for the funding to be approved.

In his letter Mr Cameron said: “You will understand that it is important that (Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust) can demonstrate the scheme’s affordability as part of the review and that there is a clear case for quality improvement in the health and care services for patients.

“I have been informed that an approval decision is expected shortly.”

The Prime Minister also wrote: “I know that this is a matter close to your heart and that you have put a great deal of work into representing the views of your constituents in Brighton Kemptown.”

Mr Kirby said: “I am grateful to the Prime Minister for taking the time to follow up on the issue I raised with him at (Prime Minister’s Questions).

“I would also like to thank him for his kind words regarding my campaign on an issue which is enormously important to my constituents.

“It has been a long campaign to ensure that Brighton gets a hospital it deserves and I am pleased that the end appears to be in sight.

“As people in the city know, there is an excellent case for redevelopment and I am confident that the Treasury will make the right decision in reviewing the proposal.”