The new 8,300m2 facility to replace the existing QEII Hospital was officially started on site on Friday 26th July, with a breaking ground ceremony, lead by local MP Grant Shapps, the Mayor, Councillors and members of the new Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), who will be responsible for providing the Clinical Services at the New QEII.

Mr Shapps has had a close involvement in the project and in his address he praised the design as being “sustainable, modern and capable for handling 21st century medicine.”

The New QEII will provide a comprehensive range of services for the community of Welwyn and Hatfield, including a 24/7 local A&E, Diagnostic imaging including MRI and CT, specialist Children’s Services, Therapies and a full range of Outpatient services. The building is being procured through NHS LIFT and Penoyre & Prasad won the commission in a design competition in 2010.