Architect due to be appointed as plans to build new Whipps Cross hospital gather pace

The NHS trust responsible for developing a new hospital in London is poised to announce the firms that will design it.

Barts Health NHS trust was one of six to receive a share in £2.7bn of funding from the government last year as part of its Health Infrastructure Plan.

Minutes from the trust’s board meeting have revealed that the firm to lead the design for a new Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone will be appointed this month.

This multi-disciplinary team will be responsible for developing the design of the new hospital and will lead and co-ordinate the design development process to RIBA stage two, which is concept design.

The design team will also lead in providing all information required for the development of an outline planning application.

Other trusts to recieve cash as part of the government's first tranche of funding include Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust which will build a new St Helier Hospital in the capital’s south-west.