Norfolk MP calls on Govt. to confirm QEH's rebuild future in Autumn Budget
The King's Lynn Hospital is currently being held up by over 6,500 steel and timber support props
A Norfolk MP is calling on the Government to confirm in the Autumn budget, whether the Queen Elizabeth Hospital will be fully re-built, by 2030.
Chancellor, Rachel Reeves announced in July that she'd be 'reviewing' plans to replace seven hospitals including the QEH- due to a £22 billion 'black-hole' in the public purse.
The Hospital in King's Lynn is currently being held up by over 6,500 steel and timber support props.
The Hospital says it's current estate can't be in use beyond 2030, due to safety concerns over the longevity of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in the buildings.
In May 2023, the previous Government announced that the Queen Elizabeth had secured funding for a brand-new Hospital- which would be up and running with seven years
"Underlined the importance of this"
James Wild represents North-West Norfolk in Parliament:
"The RAAC hospitals have to be rebuilt, there isn't any other option here. For safety reasons they would need to close by 2030.
"So if the Government don't give the go ahead to these hospitals, they would effectively be signalling the closure dates of these hospitals. That's not what I or the people of North-West Norfolk want. It's also not what the Government promised either".
"One strength of the original campaign to get the QEH on the rebuild list, last year was working with the wider community.
"I've met with the new MP for South West Norfolk and underlined the importance of this. I'll work with him and other colleagues across Norfolk to make sure we get that investment".
What have other local MPs said on this?
The recently-elected MP for South West Norfolk, Terry Jermy has reaffirmed his commitment to securing urgent funding for the rebuild of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital following a visit, this month
The Labour MP said:
“I am very grateful to the hospital team for taking the time to show me first-hand the issues impacting the hospital.
“The QEH and NHS more generally was a priority campaign issue for me and I look forward to a really strong relationship moving forward.
“I will continue to liaise closely with government ministers to press the need for urgent funding for the hospital rebuild.”
“Despite the challenges of the working environment I was incredibly impressed with the professionalism and dedication of staff.”
What's the Government said on this?
The Government says further details on their spending plans and costings certified by the Office for Budget Responsibility, will be published at the Budget.
A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson said: “The NHS is broken, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the state of some of our crumbling hospitals.
"The Health and Social Care Secretary has asked for an urgent report on the degree to which the New Hospital Programme is funded and a realistic timetable for delivery.
"He will consider this carefully then report back to patients, clinicians, and local communities."