HEALTH chiefs say about 20 private companies have shown interest in a £44m development at Lewisham University Hospital.
The planned six-storey building, which will have 310 in-patient and intensive care beds, is due to open in 2005 with the help of private money.
The development is the third phase of a five-phase modernisation plan to create a "21st century hospital" in the borough.
At an open day, held on July 4 to attract private investment, about 20 private firms inquired about the project.
Phase three project manager Bill McGill said: "It is good to see so many private companies showing interest in the project, which is being build under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Scheme.
"The next stage is for us to evaluate the bidders and shortlist three of them. We will then select our preferred bidder."
He added: "The whole process will take another 18 months and we expect building work to start in March 2004."
Phase three follows the building of a women's and children's block and the Ravensbourne block for outpatients.
The hospital also held an open day, called Building a Better Patient Environment, for residents, on July 8.
July 16, 2002 17:00
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