Queen Elizabeth Hospital at King's Lynn is one of the sites in urgent need of restoration. Credit: Chris Radburn/PA
Labor says the government will not deliver on its manifesto pledge to build 40 new hospitals this decade after ministers acknowledge delays in NHS flagship building program.
Health Secretary announced that eight hospitals would not be built until 2030 after a decision was made to prioritize collapsing buildings.
Steve Barclay said ministers would focus on the five existing sites after officials realized they were in such a state of disrepair that they posed a danger. for patients.
He added that while the original 40 hospitals will not be built by 2030, the addition of renovation schemes and three new mental hospitals means that the promise of the manifesto will be fulfilled.
< p>The program has already drawn criticism because Boris Johnson's «40 new hospitals» promise included redevelopment and new site wings, as well as entire new hospitals. Airedale General in West Yorkshire, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, Hinchingbrook in Cambridgeshire, Leighton Hospital in Cheshire and Frimley Park in Surrey.
Hinchingbrook Hospital in Cambridgeshire is also in need of renovation. Photo: Tom Gowenlock
All hospitals have significant amounts of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a lightweight type of concrete with a limited lifespan, after which it deteriorates significantly.
Officials have asked the government to prioritize rebuilding these hospitals given the risks they pose to patients and staff.
They said that the full extent of the danger became known only after the new hospital program was announced in 2020.
«As a result of this shift in priorities, as well as rising building material costs, up to eight schemes that were originally due to be built by the end of the decade will now be completed after 2030,» officials said. a list of 40 hospitals.
“All cohort schemes will be implemented, but the commitment to complete by 2030 extends to the 40 schemes outlined today. Which is in line with our manifesto commitment to build 40 hospitals by 2030,” he said.
He added that any construction programs facing delays would still start work within the next two years.
“They will be part of an ongoing program in which not all work will be completed. by 2030, and this is a reflection of the disruption caused by two years of the Covid pandemic, as well as pressure from construction inflation,” he said.
«It's just not going to happen»
However, Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said: «I sincerely expected that the Secretary of State could come to the house today and frankly declare that everything that was promised to the former prime minister made in 2019, the promise to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 will simply not be kept.
“It was a direct commitment – 40 new hospitals. Except we've since gotten used to the idea that they weren't new, and surprisingly, they weren't even new hospitals. Since that general election, we've had more new health ministers than new hospitals.
“People in these places have been promised, and the Secretary of State has the audacity to repeat that promise today, when he knows for sure that even if there is the will and even if there is money, I almost simply do not see or understand how he can deliver 40 new hospitals to 2030.”
Ministers said Thursday that a record £20bn will be spent on new hospital infrastructure.
Two hospitals in the program have already been completed and five are under construction. Officials added that more than 20 will be completed or completed by the end of next year.
Mr. Barclay said the five hospitals that are «urgently in need of refurbishment» are being prioritized so that patients and staff can benefit from large new hospital buildings equipped with the latest technology.
«Besides As a result, I am strengthening our new hospitals program by confirming today that it is expected to represent over £20bn of new investment in hospital infrastructure,” he said.
“As we approach the 75th anniversary of our fantastic National Health Service, this additional investment will ensure patient care for decades to come and help shorten waiting lists so they get the care they need faster.”
Officials also promised a rolling investment program in hospital infrastructure to develop new hospitals after 2030, allowing more than 40 new hospitals to be built in the long term.
“A shameful broken promise”
Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat Health Representative, said: “This bodes a shameful breach of a promise made to communities across the country. To be frank, 2030 is a pie in the sky.
“There is still no sign of these new hospitals, and today some are confirming that there will be no shovels left in the ground in the coming years. What a farce.”
Nigel Edwards, chief executive of The Nuffield Trust think tank, said: “This is a welcome confirmation of the patient's commitment to a program of new hospitals that seems to be moving very slowly.
“This should help NHS funds get started on replacing dilapidated buildings, including refurbishing unsafe temporary roofs, as well as providing patients with a better and more modern environment.
“However, it is unclear if the funding amounts mentioned today represent, new money added to the NHS capital budget.
“If there is no more money, we should not make the mistake of raiding funds that are also urgently needed to upgrade inadequate NHS IT systems or fix pending maintenance work that has not been completed.”
' It is impossible to keep patching up our oldest institutions.” Meanwhile, Professor Tim Orchard, chief executive of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs St. Mary's Hospital, said the hospital's renovation was urgent.
“With the support of the New Hospital program, we continue to explore a range of practical funding and design options to enable a complete renovation of St. Mary’s Hospital – and start on plans to overhaul and expand Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals – by 2030 year,” he said.
He added that delays could make it «impossible to continue renovating our oldest facilities.»
research center, it would cause enormous damage to the health and wellness of hundreds of thousands of people,” he said.
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