A total of around £50million funding is possible

NHS chiefs are to get £19.4million to continue working-up plans to redevelop St Mary’s Hospital.

The initial funding boost – which is expected to increase to £50million – comes a week after health secretary Wes Streeting said a crucial rebuild of the Paddington hospital would be put back from 2030 to 2038. The Labour government’s decision was described as a “double betrayal” by critics after the party had campaigned for it while in opposition.

The £50million announcement has revived hopes that consent for a new 800- to 840-bed hospital and life sciences campus could be secured earlier than expected.

It came as a new “taskforce” was set up to push the project forward.

Labour Cities of London and Westminster MP Rachel Blake said: “It is a significant step forward after years of uncertainty for St Mary’s. This funding will see £19.4million released, which will enable progress to be made towards receiving planning consent for a new hospital, within a redeveloped life sciences campus in Paddington.

“This funding is anticipated to be part of a total of around £50million, in order to complete this phase.”

Westminster City Council leader Adam Hug said: “This is a huge step towards replacing the current Victorian era buildings and great news for Westminster where residents will benefit from new, improved facilities at London’s busiest major trauma centre, which treats over a million patients each year.”

St Mary’s Hospital was, before Covid-19, said to be the hospital facing the worst costs for urgently needed repairs.

There have been repeated concerns about its outdated buildings over the years.

A fortnight ago Professor Tim Orchard, chief executive of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, that runs St Mary’s, warned the decision to delay the crucial rebuild of the hospital was “devastating news for our communities”.

In a statement this week he said: “We have an exceptional opportunity to make a significant contribution to economic growth through the expansion of Paddington Life Sciences – the life sciences hub surrounding St Mary’s – at the same time as building the new hospital to replace our current facilities, some of which are 180 years old.”