The Health Secretary acknowledged yesterday that over half of the 40 new hospitals the Tories promised might face delays. Wes Streeting revealed that the programme’s costs had surged by billions, prompting the Government to reconsider the schedule for 25 new hospitals.
In their 2019 manifesto, the Conservatives vowed to complete 40 new hospitals by 2030. However, in a letter to MPs during Labour’s conference in Liverpool, Mr Streeting labelled the programme as ‘undeliverable’. He instead assured a ‘thorough, costed and realistic timeline,’ advancing projects based on financial feasibility.
Mr Streeting stated the Government’s commitment to the New Hospital Programme (NHP) but stressed they would not provide false hope about the timeline. He emphasised the need for an NHS estate that meets future demands, noting the significant fiscal challenges inherited from previous administrations, which were highlighted in the Chancellor’s July 29 statement.
🔵More than half of 40 new hospital projects could be delayed https://t.co/CZ5zpXxw3h
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 22, 2024
He reassured that hospitals constructed mainly from crumble-prone concrete would not face delays. The review prioritises replacing facilities built from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) to ensure the safety of patients and staff. While the review is ongoing, all NHP schemes will continue to progress.
Less than two weeks ago, Lord Darzi’s major NHS review indicated that deteriorating buildings were affecting productivity. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson remarked that the inherited New Hospital Programme was both undeliverable and unfunded. They committed to being honest with patients and placing the programme on a sustainable path.
The spokesperson added that patient safety remains the top priority, ensuring that rebuilds of hospitals made from Raac and those with approved business cases would proceed as planned. The review aims to offer a detailed, financially realistic delivery timeline for the rest of the programme, aiming to address the crumbling infrastructure in England. This initiative, along with the fundamental reforms in the forthcoming 10-year plan, seeks to build an NHS equipped for the future.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Telegraph reports that more than half of 40 new hospital projects in the UK could be delayed, raising concerns about healthcare infrastructure and government planning. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Are the Tories’ new hospital plans being postponed?
Yes, more than half of the 40 new hospitals could be postponed.
Why are the new hospital plans being delayed?
The costs have risen by billions, making the programme undeliverable and unaffordable.
What did the Conservatives pledge in their 2019 election manifesto?
They pledged to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030.
Which hospitals will not be delayed in the new plan?
These are made of crumble-prone concrete (Raac) will not be delayed.
What is the government’s priority regarding the hospital projects?
The priority is to ensure patient and staff safety by replacing Raac-built hospitals.
