THE business case for the final phase of transforming Lister in Stevenage - bringing the total investment on the site to about �150 million - is ready to be sanctioned. It covers expanding the A&E department, intensive care, operating theatres and wards,

THE business case for the final phase of transforming Lister in Stevenage - bringing the total investment on the site to about �150 million - is ready to be sanctioned.

It covers expanding the A&E department, intensive care, operating theatres and wards, and represents an estimated �85 million development.

Already some �65 million is being invested in a new day case and short stay surgery unit, and a major expansion of the hospital's maternity unit - both of which are set to open in 2011, along with a new multi-storey car park.

The final phase of the development, which if approved is due to be completed by 2013, includes a new ward block, and a new operating theatre and endoscopy block. The business case also proposes that the current Lister tower block is refurbished to provide an additional 91 beds, critical care capacity is increased from 12 to 20 beds, and a second cardiac catheter lab is created to enable a 24/7 heart attack service.

Nick Carver, chief executive of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, which runs Lister, said: "We are delighted to bring in our final business case to schedule and on budget.

"The business case outlines all the additional services that will be created at Lister, which when the work is completed will house 625 inpatient beds, supported by some of the best emergency, operating and critical care facilities available in the region."

He added: "Given the current economic climate and the forecast squeeze on public spending, there will be those who will wonder whether or not this additional investment of up to �85 million is affordable. It is a question we have asked ourselves.

"The only way the Trust can deliver the quality of services expected by our clinical staff and promised to the community, while at the same time driving down our costs, is to make these developments. We simply cannot afford, therefore, to avoid making this vital investment."

The business case will be considered by NHS East and North Hertfordshire -the primary care trust - when its board meets in November. If approved, it will then be considered by NHS East of England - the local headquarters of the NHS - and the Department of Health for final approval by January next year.