Government approves £165 million deal for Papworth Hospital move

Papworth Hospital, the leading specialist heart and lung hospital, will move from its current location outside Cambridge onto the Cambridge Biomedical Campus next to Addenbrooke’s hospital site.

A £165 million deal for a new hospital has been approved by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said: “This is good news for patients, good news for research and good news for UK plc.

“The exemplary contribution of Papworth in pioneering heart and lung transplants operations and treatment for these diseases has already made a major global contribution.

“This move will accelerate new discoveries and pioneering healthcare to the benefits of patients worldwide as well as the UK’s leadership in these fields.”

New buildings and facilities will be constructed on the site of the Cambridge Bio-medical Campus to accommodate the relocated Papworth Hospital. Its future location is now secure following years of uncertainty, said the Government today (May 1).

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said: “I’ve been a strong supporter of this move. As I said on a visit to Cambridge last week, there is great value in these two leading hospitals working more closely together and continuing to provide first class medical care.”

The existing buildings at Papworth are more than 75 years old, with some older than 150 years. Moving to brand new purpose-built facilities will ensure the hospital continues to provide world-class medical care and treatment.

The proposed new 310-bed Papworth hospital will boast the latest medical facilities and technologies.

Professor Patrick Maxwell, Regius Professor of Physic at the University of Cambridge and Chief Executive of Cambridge University Health Partners said:

“This is good news on all fronts. From a patient’s perspective, it is absolutely crucial that they have access to the best possible services in the closest proximity to each other. This will mean that patients will have access to a comprehensive range of services in one place.

“Cardiovascular disease is one of the major global killers. Bringing such a renowned specialist heart and lung centre onto the site is an excellent complement to the strengths of Cambridge University Health Partners.”

Professor John Wallwork, Chairman of Papworth Hospital and former cardiac surgeon added: “For many years we have been convinced that the right place for this world class institution to provide high-quality services for patients with heart and lung conditions from across the country is on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. We now look forward to putting that vision into reality."

The new hospital is to be delivered through a 30-year PFI deal, with confirmation of the service provider to be announced shortly.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said: “This ambitious package will ensure that patients across the East of England continue to benefit from access to world-class specialist treatment, will secure Papworth hospital’s future location, and help further develop its world-leading capabilities.”

Construction of the new facilities is projected to begin in 2015 and complete by 2017 to 2018. The plans for this project will be finalised over the coming months, with all funding subject to final approvals as usual.