Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has benefitted from a multi-million-pound landmark funding deal with NatWest, which will safeguard space for 4,500 births a year at West Middlesex University Hospital.
The bank has provided more than £10m of finance to support the acquisition of onsite maternity units, which had been previously rented by the Trust, following the closure of the maternity ward at nearby Ealing Hospital in 2015.
This is the first time any NHS Foundation Trust in England has obtained funding from the bank and will save the NHS more than £70 million over the next 30 years, as well as ensuring the provision of quality care to thousands of women, babies and families in the region.
The four modular units include the Queen Mary Maternity Unit, Queen Mary Women’s Health Unit, Natural Birthing Centre and Recovery Ward providing on-site clinical space, elective beds and on-going support for women before, during and after pregnancy.
West Middlesex University Hospital was founded in 1920 and became part of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in 2015.
Stephen Aynsley-Smith, Deputy Director of Finance at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The maternity modular building based at the West Middlesex University Hospital is critical to the provision of maternity services in North West London, following the closure of maternity services at Ealing Hospital.
“The ownership of this building will allow us to sustainably invest in providing world class services while making the best use of public money. The funding providing by NatWest will allow us to ensure we have sufficient funds to continue this work.”
Sarah Harris, Lending Director at NatWest, said: “With funding from NatWest, the West Middlesex University Hospital has gained certainty and security over the provision of services to women and families in West London.
“In addition, the NHS will make a financial saving over the coming years which can be deployed to other services and create an even wider benefit.”
