WORK on a multi-million pound Healthzone in Chesham is set to start in April – four months behind schedule.

But Chiltern District Council's cabinet member for health last night hit out at the authority behind the building work, saying there had been an “overwhelming silence” from them.

Cllr Noel Brown said he was only able to clear up confusion about the new £6million Healthzone, which will be built in Berkhampstead Road, after asking questions at the Buckinghamshire Primary Care Trust's meeting in High Wycombe on Monday.

He said at last night's full meeting of the council: “I'm told the contract seems to have overcome most of its financial hardship. It's down to the two surgeries and the contractor to decide the final internal issues.

“They are hoping for a start in April. That's the earliest they are talking about now.

“I did impress upon them the delay was becoming increasingly embarrassing and they did say they would take things forward.”

He added: “We are being told the way forward is to provide services more locally. This was used to justify the closure of Amersham.”

Cllr John Wertheim asked Cllr Brown if there was any news on the future of the the Chalfont and Gerrards Cross Hospital.

In 2008 an inpatient ward there was transferred to Amersham Hospital, and another ward was condemned as a fire risk.

Cllr Brown said it was “too early” to say what was being proposed, but added it was “the fingers crossed stage” of the development.

Cllr Linda Smith said in a private conversation with a health official she had been told the idea of relocating the hospital to somewhere else in the village, but nothing had been confirmed.