Date: 25th May 2004
Released by: ANDREW TURNER

Island MP Andrew Turner welcomed the news that King Edward VII Hospital in Midhurst has now cleared all legal hurdles and planning permission has been issued to enable redevelopment to go ahead. The legal agreement establishes that the new hospital facilities must be ready for use as soon as possible and will include a new neurological wing.

Andrew Turner said,
“I am absolutely delighted. This is tremendous news which will be welcomed by all Islanders and others who worked so hard to secure the future of King Edward VII. Many of my constituents have reason to be grateful for the care they have received in the past, and this first class facility is now secured for future generations and will even be improved. Many Islanders travelled to London to demonstrate against the proposals to close the hospital, and many, many more wrote to me with their concerns, all of which were passed on to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister – they should give themselves a pat on the back – they played their part in this victory for common sense”.