A GOVERNMENT commitment to upgrading Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, has been welcomed by local MP Rebecca Pow.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay confirmed to the House of Commons on Thursday (May 25) that Musgrove was part of ‘Cohort 4’ and remained on track for completion by 2030.

Mr Barclay said afterwards: “It is a real tribute to Rebecca, she has lobbied me and has lobbied extremely hard on behalf of her constituents.

“She has made the case effectively to Government, officials have looked at the detail of the scheme, and that is why it is fully funded.”

Ms Pow has been promoting the delivery of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s scheme for Musgrove she was first elected MP in 2015.

It began with a focus on upgrading the outdated and dilapidated surgical unit.

In January, 2018, Ms Pow secured a debate in Parliament calling on the Government to back a bid from Musgrove to upgrade outdated surgery facilities, before launching a petition to help demonstrate public support for the plans.

The petition gathered more than 6,000 signatures and was presented to Government.

Two months later the then-Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced Musgrove’s £79 million funding bid for a new surgical centre had been successful, enabling the trust to replace the outdated theatres, endoscopy, and critical care facilities.

Then, in December 2019, Ms Pow and the trust secured Government seed funding for to develop a business case for an upgrade of the entire site.

The trust’s ambitious plan – called ‘Musgrove 2030’ – included a new maternity and children’s building and further development of its cancer and emergency services.

In October, 2021, work began on a multi-million pounds multi-specialty acute assessment hub, which was opened in November of last year.

The unit was purpose-built and brought closer together surgeons, emergency doctors, and other healthcare professionals, with a better environment for patients and staff, too.

Early this year Mr Pow met with Health Secretary Steve Barclay to further press the case for the upgrade.

And in recent months she took representatives from the foundation trust leadership team to meet both the Social Care Minister and the Secondary Care Minister to keep up the pressure.

Ms Pow said: “I am delighted the Government have confirmed that they remain committed to the delivery of the scheme for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust for Musgrove Park Hospital.

“I would like pay tribute to everybody who has made this possible and for their tireless work in helping to bring about this outcome.

“Importantly, the announcement will allow this scheme to continue to progress, and the Government will be supporting the trust to carry out early works in advance of main construction and it remains on track for completion by 2030.

“We have all been working towards this for many years now, starting with the development of the new theatre complex for which I was proud to play my part in securing £79 million and subsequently £11 million to build the surgical decision unit.

“Obviously, the ultimate goal was to make the case for the entire upgrade of the site, and I am pleased that this has been recognised.

“There are many antiquated buildings on the site including the World War Two maternity unit where I had my three children, and their transformation will all be a key part of the upgrade plans.

“There is still a long way to go but this announcement confirms that progress is underway.

“Musgrove Park Hospital has always offered excellent care but now we can look forward to it being delivered in world-class facilities in the years ahead.

“This is wonderful news for patients and people right across Taunton Deane and Somerset more widely.”

Trust chairman Colin Drummond said: “This is wonderful news for the people of Somerset and a great boost for our colleagues throughout the trust.

“It was the result of excellent work by the team and unremitting efforts at a high level in Government over a period of years.

“I would like to thank Rebecca for all her stalwart support and partnership in an outstanding team effort.”

But local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Gideon Amos said: “Disappointingly the fact is the Health Secretary’s speech confirmed our hospital’s urgently needed new maternity unit has been downgraded to a ‘cohort 4’ project, moving it to the very bottom of a very big pile. The fact Musgrove still haven’t received the funding the project needs, and his statement that work might start on the project “over the next two years” is simply not something any MP for our area should be proud of.”