Former PM Liz Truss wants new hospital for King's Lynn included in budget next month
The South West Norfolk MP wants Jeremy Hunt to commit to rebuilding the crumbling hospital
Last updated 7th Feb 2023
The former Prime Minister and South West Norfolk MP Liz Truss has renewed calls for a new hospital to be built in King's Lynn.
She wants it to be included in Jeremy Hunt's budget announcement on March 15.
Bosses at the QEH are desperate for funding to either replace or repair the building, which currently has thousands of props holding up the roof.
The facility was opened in 1980 and was only designed to last 30 years. It was built with lightweight concrete which is gradually crumbling.
It's feared the building could soon be too dangerous to use, depriving people in West Norfolk of a local hospital.
In a statement, the former Prime Minister said: “I am concerned about the safety of patients and visitors and am urging the Chancellor to announce funding for this project as soon as possible.”
It's a contrast to what Ms Truss said while still in Number 10, where she gave no clear commitment to a rebuild.
When questioned during a broadcast interview, the former PM said: "As you know, as a local MP I have been lobbying very hard to see improvements at the Queen Elizabeth and I have seen for myself the very difficult situation with the roof.
"Of course we have a new Health Secretary, Therese Coffey. I do hope she will visit the Queen Elizabeth Hospital soon to see the situation there and make sure that action is taken because it simply isn't good enough."
"I am not making promises on her behalf but I will certainly be putting that case as the local MP."
A statement on the QEH website said: "The simple truth is that our buildings are in a desperate state and have reached the end of their life."
"We now have 3,397 steel and timber support props in 56 areas of the hospital. We now have more than six times more props than beds and we are the most propped hospital in the country.
"A new hospital that is fit for the future will enable us to provide outstanding care in world-class facilities and meet the demands of our growing and ageing population.
"We want to become the best rural District General Hospital for patient and staff experience and a new hospital is central to achieving this ambition."