The Government and local Tories have broken their promises and announced that they are no longer investing in the redevelopment and much-needed refurbishment of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.

St Mary’s Hospital includes one of the busiest trauma and emergency centres in the capital, as well as providing extensive clinical services. Its planned upgrade and refurbishment is vital to continuing healthcare provision in Westminster.

Rachel Blake, Labour’s candidate in Cities of London & Westminster, condemned the decision to cancel the plans while raising concerns that the delay in investment “could seriously impact the health of hundreds of thousands of Londoners who rely on its services.”

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs St Mary’s Hospital, has stated this announcement ‘does not reflect our understanding of next steps on the urgently needed redevelopment of our hospitals’.

Nafsika Butler-Thalassis, the city councillor and  Cabinet Member for health services said, “we share the view of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust that it is not viable to wait until 2030 to begin works on a new St. Mary’s, as it simply can’t keep being patched up.”

Councillor Butler-Thalassis has written to the Secretary of State for Health, Steve Barclay for clarification on the situation. “We will work with the Trust to help secure the full rebuild needed to protect this vital health resource in the heart of our city, with the necessary investment that has been promised for so long.”

You can show your support by Standing Up For St. Mary’s and adding your name to the petition here