Princess Alexandra Hospital boss welcomes news that UKHSA is coming to Harlow

Health / Thu 17th Jul 2025 at 11:35am

THE Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) has welcomed the news that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is coming to Harlow

Thom Lafferty, chief executive of The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT), said: “This is fantastic news for Harlow and its continued regeneration.

“This development will bring new jobs, representing a massive investment in our local economy in Harlow, and plays an important part in our collective efforts for community regeneration. The expected population growth and the obvious synergies between our work and that of the new campus, reinforces and accelerates the need for a new hospital, on a new site, delivered in the quickest and most cost-effective way.

“Part of that will be looking at how we can deliver services closer to patients and communities, joining up with GPs and other healthcare partners, and making sure the future new Princess Alexandra Hospital, unlike our current site, is built to meet the needs of our local population in the 21^st century. We are pleased to have reopened negotiations with the landowner of our preferred future site at junction 7a of the M11.”

Chris Vince, MP for Harlow, said: “This news is a tremendous step forward for Harlow, with new jobs in science and technology, and ends years of speculation. Now, we need a first-class new hospital to take advantage of the synergies, one that meets the needs of one of the fastest-growing populations in the UK. I will continue to lobby for this.”

7 Comments for Princess Alexandra Hospital boss welcomes news that UKHSA is coming to Harlow:

abbie

2025-07-17 18:09:26

You say there are synergies to be had, so when the current site is only half a mile of a five minute walk away from the new campus - Why would you move to a site which is a half hour drive away (in today's traffic) in rush hour??? You just make things complex when they don’t need to be - Share labs and we could get tests done reliably and quickly. We could have among the best healthcare in the country if the hospital were adjacent to the campus. Alas, with your plans I fear that we’ll continue to experience some of the worst care there is.

Ted

2025-07-17 18:56:22

Glass have empty then Abbie

Sam

2025-07-18 12:34:41

Ted, there's no need for your glass to be half (sic) empty - Looking at your posts on each of these stories, you seem really upset with the HSA and the local MP. Even the most cynical amongst us can suspend our scepticism from for a time, from time to time. This town may be broken and down at heel, but with some careful management this could be transformative. We know that the current lot aren't up to the job, but this moment may allow us to source them from a wider talent pool.

Ted

2025-07-18 16:47:50

Yes your right Sam , when it comes to Chris Vince my glass is completely empty. This is a man who run away from proceedings when he lost the local elections to the Torys. He could not bear to congratulate them . He also could.not work out an alternative budget, so I don't trust him as an mp. He also turned against pensioners and the disabled agreeing with Starmer about everything and happy to put it on Your Harlow , and when Starmer suffered with dizziness when he done numerous uturns , you never heard a word from him.

Alan S

2025-07-19 05:27:40

He's sitting in a rather swanky office - Last week I had to give blood in this overcrowded space, at the end of a corridor that looked like an old gym with some old canvas screens - Give them any money and you can see where the money will go!

HenryB75

2025-07-19 08:18:56

Chris Vince lost all of my respect when he voted to remove winter fuel allowance from pensioners, and then voted to make it more difficult for disabled people to get help. He's a yes man. Yes to everything Starmer orders him to do, and yes to making life more difficult for vulnerable people who are already struggling.