'Save the QEH demo' to take place outside Norfolk MPs office
The Government's short-list for new hospital funding is yet to be released- and the number of props supporting the QEH's roof has grown to 1,528
Last updated 2nd Jul 2022
Demonstrators are gathering at a Norfolk MPs office today to protest about the current the state of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, near Kings Lynn.
It comes as the Government's short-list for new hospital funding is yet to be released, after it was meant to be revealed this spring.
While the number of props supporting the QEH's roof has grown to 1,528- with many now being in wards where patients are being treated, and buckets are now being put out by staff to catch rainwater.
It's understood that those from the Save our QEH Hospital campaign group will be gathering at James Wild's office on the Tuesday Market Place around midday.
"He said could influence an outcome on our hospital"
Joanne Rust, represents Springwood area on West Norfolk Council and is heading down for the demo:
She says James Wild hasn't fulfilled one of his key 2019 election promises and must be more proactive:
"When our MP was seeking election he claimed that he had the ear of the then Health Secretary Matt Hancock, and he said he could influence an outcome on our hospital- well he hasn't has he."
"He needs to go and door-step Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak, because the money has got to come from the Treasury- why have they not released that money? We expect him to be doing that instead of just asking a question in the house. This is one of the reasons why we are having this demonstration outside of his office- to make him aware of how unhappy we are at this situation."
"We have seen first hand how dire the situation is"
Ms Rust told us it would be a different situation if the Government knew how serious it is for patients:
"Then they would have just given the QEH, the amount of funding it needs, we wouldn't have to be in a competition with other hospitals and that's what's going on- we are bidding for funding pots. If funding was based on need, knowing that we've got 1,528 props- I'd say our need is greater".
"We have seen first hand how dire the situation is in there- we had a tour and we saw the props. For the patients that have these props above their beds, it must be incredibly disconcerting and potentially impacts on their ability to recover in the way we would expect".
What has James Wild had to say about all this?
James Wild represents North West Norfolk and told us he's keeping the pressure on those who can make a difference:
"I'm incredibly frustrated at the delay in decisions to put QEH on the list, as I know people are locally. I will continue to keep lobbying ministers in the Health Department-like the one that came to QEH a few weeks ago to see for himself the 1,500 plus props. I'll keep lobbying the Treasury and the Prime Minister, and they know how important this hospital is to North-West Norfolk and beyond".