THE OPENING of Stratford Hospital has been delayed due to a water leak.
The £22million state-of-the-art hospital on Arden Street was set to open at the start of July.
But a water leak affecting the chemotherapy treatment area and ophthalmology outpatients area means the date for a full opening has been pushed back to August.
A spokeswoman from South Warwickshire Foundation Trust – which runs Stratford, Warwick, Leamington and Shipston hospitals – said: “Last week the external contractors working on the new hospital at Stratford reported a water leak had affected the chemotherapy treatment area and ophthalmology outpatients area.
“The contractors responded quickly to assess the area, taking immediate action to rectify the problem and addressing the impact this leak has on the site.
“We have now been made aware that the remedial work required will add an additional few weeks on to the total two and half year build and therefore it will be fully open in August.”
The building – which is based on the same Arden Street site as the existing hospital – will house a state-of-the-art eye and cancer unit along with a well-being centre.
Residents have backed the hospital since the plans were first announced, and also supported the successful million pound fund-raising appeal to pay for comforts including iPads and special chemotherapy chairs.
Tea parties, balls, charity runs, film nights and even firewalks were just some of the events held to raise money for the fund – which reached its target earlier this year.
Bosses say the new hospital will ‘transform’ the future of healthcare in the district.
It follows the revelation that nearly 30 per cent fewer patients in Stratford choose to have chemotherapy compared to nearby Warwick Hospital. This is due to the travel time it takes Stratford residents to reach Warwick’s Aylesford Unit.
But it is hoped more will opt to use the new cancer unit, which is situated on the building’s top floor. It will consist of 12 treatment couches, two side rooms and even a counselling room. There will also be an emergency room where cancer patients who feel unwell can go.
And to offer support to those affected by cancer there will be a part of the new hospital’s airy atrium dedicated to Macmillan, along with a complementary treatment room.
