Grant Shapps has written to Welwyn Hatfield constituents about the imminent work that is to be undertaken on the QE2 hospital site:

I’m pleased to be able to get in touch to give you some good news. Building work on the New QE2 is finally about to begin. The breakthrough comes following a funding deal with the Department of Health, meaning that diggers will be on site within the next couple of weeks.You'll recall that ever since the previous government pulled the plug on the promised Hatfield super-hospital, we've seen our major services stripped out and sent to the Lister in Stevenage.But at last, it is time for us to get a modern hospital which will be fit-for-purpose in the 21st century. Sadly it won't contain everything that the QE2 once did, however all the services currently offered will be rebuilt in a modern fit-for-purpose facility - including a Local A&E (covering the same cases as now) and an improved service for children. This is a significant milestone and considering the years of frustration, it is good to know that things are finally on the move.
Having been involved in the lobbying to get this hospital building finance in place, I will of course continue to keep a very close eye on the situation over the coming months. We can expect to see the old hospital stay in place and in use until the new one is ready to open in Spring 2015.