THE boss of a specialist hospital in Stanmore has welcomed the confirmation of £81m of funding from government for a long-overdue rebuilding project.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander MP yesterday confirmed the Royal National Orrthopaedic Hospital would be receiving the money it was promised in March for a complete rebuild of the hospital site.

Rob Hurd, chief executive of the trust which runs the hospital, said of the news: “I am delighted that we have a clear way forward for our rebuild so that we can continue to provide high quality, best value care for our patients.”

The trust board can now begin planning to start work on the project, which is hoped to begin by 2012.

The hospital, in Wood Lane, is currently comprised of a labyrinth of buildings, some of which date back to the 1940s, and many have expressed the need for a new building to match the quality of care offered.

The RNOH is a world-renowned hospital specialising in spinal injuries, and has long campaigned for the funding for the rebuilding project.

Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East, yesterday welcomed the news after he raised the RNOH's plight in his maiden speech to MPs.