Alexandra councillor Wayne Hoban has received assurances from the Chief Executive of North Middlesex University Hospital over the provision of key worker accommodation as a result of the PFI deal now being proposed for the site. The move followed a presentation to Haringey’s September full council meeting on the PFI project, in which the hospital stated that ‘the target figure was 25%’, but failed to offer any guarantees.

Wayne Hoban had written to the hospital asking for assurance that, in view of the acute shortage of NHS key-workers, a minimum of 25% of the new accommodation provided within the terms of the proposed PFI rebuilding contract should be reserved, at affordable rates, for NHS key-workers. It has been confirmed that this will be the case.

Wayne Hoban comments:

“With the planned building works taking away the existing accommodation for nurses and other key workers on the hospital site, it is absolutely vital that accommodation in the area is firmly set aside for these staff. Without this, the scheme would be grossly unfair on these key workers, who already have a hard job finding affordable accommodation in the area. These assurances are welcome.”

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem health spokesperson at the London Assembly adds,

“Shortages of affordable housing for public sector works are a huge problem across London. It is excellent news that the North Middlesex deal will contribute to alleviating the problem.”