No clear answer from Liz Truss on whether King's Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital will be replaced
The Prime Minister couldn't say whether the dilapidated hospital would be rebuilt or replaced in an interview this morning
Last updated 29th Sep 2022
The Prime Minister Liz Truss refused to commit to a replacement to King's Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital during a round of broadcast interviews this morning.
The MP for South West Norfolk was questioned on BBC Radio Norfolk earlier in one of her first appearances since the controversial 'mini budget' on Friday.
Bosses at the QEH are desperate for funding to either replace or repair the building, which currently has around 1,500 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.
When questioned on the, the Prime Minister 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."
When pressed further on the urgent need for work at the QEH, Ms Truss replied: "I am not making promises on her behalf but I will certainly be putting that case as the local MP."
On its website, a statement from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital trust said: "The simple truth is that our buildings are in a desperate state and have reached the end of their life."
"We now have 1,528 steel and timber support props in 56 areas of the hospital. This is almost three 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."