A TOWN is set to receive a “new” hospital.

Boris Johnson confirmed a funding package worth more than £3.7 billion for the hospitals to be built across England by 2030.

While some will be built on new sites, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said some will be constructed on existing sites to replace existing facilities.

The DHSC said the project will see a “new hospital” built in Eastbourne.

The trust said in February that its plans involve the creation of a new outpatients department, theatre suite and staff residences at Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Caroline Ansell, Conservative MP for Eastbourne, is delighted at the announcement.

She said: “Eastbourne General Hospital is a beating heart in our community.

“I am delighted by the funding announcement that is going to transform this place and that is the best news for patients, for staff, and it is a huge boost for our town

“I’m going to be working really closely now with the Director of Estates and Facilities and with my MP colleagues across the county and together we are going to work really hard to see this happen.”

The DHSC also aims to build new medical wards at Conquest Hospital in St Leonards.

There are also plans for a new rehabilitation unit and ophthalmology facilities at Bexhill Hospital.

The scheme will see the construction of a new regional centre for teaching, trauma and tertiary care at the existing Royal Sussex County Hospital site in Brighton’s 3Ts development, the rebuild which is already underway.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The dedication and tireless efforts of our nurses, doctors and all healthcare workers have kept the NHS open throughout this pandemic.

“But no matter what this virus throws at us, we are determined to build back better and deliver the biggest hospital building programme in a generation.

“From Morpeth to Milton Keynes, we are building 40 new hospitals across England to level up our NHS so more people have top class healthcare services in their local area.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We protected the NHS through the peak of coronavirus. Today we recommit to protect the NHS for years to come with the 40 new hospitals we will build over the next decade.

“I love the NHS and I will do all I can to make sure it is there for you and your family over the years to come.”