WORK has started on the £20 million redevelopment of Amersham Hospital.

It is part of a £38 million scheme being funded through the Government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI), which was launched by Health Secretary Frank Dobson at Wycombe Hospital in April. It allows hospital buildings to be paid for by private companies and leased to the NHS.

The project involves building a new four-storey wing at Wycombe Hospital and redeveloping Amersham Hospital as the main centre for rehabilitation and specialist services.

Peter Land, chairman of South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, laid the foundation stone at Amersham on Tuesday. It is due to be finished in two years.

Mr Land said: "A new hospital has been promised at Amersham for 30 years. Laying this stone means that the waiting is over. These old buildings have needed replacing for years - many were put up on a temporary basis during the war.

"I am delighted to be marking the start of the new development two days after the NHS celebrates its 50th anniversary."

He added: "It is part of the biggest investment in new NHS buildings in south Bucks for 30 years, and will ensure that we have the very best healthcare for the new millennium."

Matthew Webber, chairman of United Healthcare (South Buckinghamshire) Ltd, the trust's private sector partner, said: "It is good news that in the 50th anniversary year of the NHS, work has started to redevelop Amersham Hospital through the partnership of the NHS and the private sector." .

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