THE chairman of the Farnham Hospital Action Group has attempted to reassure the local community about the future of the new Farnham Hospital amid news that it will be completed two months later than planned.
On hearing that the start date for design work had been delayed, the Reverend Margaret Blake told The Herald this week: "I don't think there's any cause for concern. The project has slipped back two months but I'm optimistic there won't be any more delays."
The Rev Blake suspected work on the hospital would be delayed because of changes to the Private Finance Initiative scheme being used to pay for the hospital's re-development.
Her suspicions were confirmed in a letter from health minister, Baroness Hayman to local MP Virginia Bottomley.
"I can confirm that the starting date for detailed design has been delayed and that the projected completion dates are currently estimated to be approximately two months later than initially stated," wrote Baroness Hayman.
"I can appreciate that the delays to the scheme cause a great deal of anxiety, not only for the local community but also for staff."
The Rev Blake said: "The staff are not buoyant at the moment because it's been such a long procedure but I'm sure their moral will soar once the corner is turned."
The delay will mean that the rebuilt hospital should open in June 2001.
The current 14-acre campus on Guildford Road will be replaced by an eight-acre site consisting of three new buildings: one which will house 42 beds and facilities for outpatients, day hospitals, therapy and diagnostic services; a new health centre to replace the one in Brightwells and a new nursing home for elderly frail and elderly mentally ill patients.