The hospitals possess substantial quantities of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), a lightweight form of concrete that deteriorates significantly after a certain lifespan. As a result, officials have urged the government to prioritize the reconstruction of these hospitals to mitigate the risks posed to patients and staff.
The revelation of the full extent of these dangers occurred only after the announcement of the New Hospital Programme in 2020.
“Due to this reprioritization and the increased cost of construction materials, up to eight projects that were originally scheduled for completion in the late 2020s will now extend beyond 2030,” officials stated.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Barclay affirmed that the manifesto commitment would be fulfilled, albeit with a revised list of 40 hospitals.
“The cohort schemes will proceed as planned, but the commitment to complete them by 2030 applies to the 40 schemes announced today, which fulfills our manifesto promise of building 40 hospitals by 2030,” he explained.
He also assured that all the delayed building programs would commence within the next two years.
“They will be part of an ongoing program where not all projects will be finished by 2030. This acknowledges the disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic over the past two years, as well as the pressures of construction inflation,” he elaborated.
‘Unlikely to be realized’
In response, Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, commented, “I truly expected the Secretary of State to be forthcoming in acknowledging the fact that the promise made by the former prime minister in 2019 to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 is unlikely to be realized.
“It was a straightforward commitment: 40 new hospitals. However, since then, we have learned that they aren’t actually new, and surprisingly, they aren’t even new hospitals. Since the general election, we have seen more new health secretaries than new hospitals.”
“The people in these areas were given a promise, and the Secretary of State has the audacity to repeat that promise today when he surely knows that even with the will and money, it is practically impossible to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030.”
Ministers announced on Thursday that a record £20 billion would be allocated to new hospital infrastructure.
Two hospitals in the program have already been completed, and five are currently under construction. Officials added that by the end of next year, more than 20 hospitals will be either underway or complete.
Mr. Barclay emphasized that the five hospitals in urgent need of repair were being prioritized so that patients and staff can benefit from modern hospital facilities equipped with the latest technology.
“Additionally, I am reinforcing our New Hospital Programme by confirming today that it will result in over £20 billion of investment in hospital infrastructure,” he announced.
“As we approach the 75th anniversary of our fantastic NHS, this additional investment will ensure that it can provide care for patients for decades to come and help reduce waiting lists, enabling timely treatment.”
Officials also pledged a continuous capital investment program for hospital infrastructure, with plans to construct more than 40 new hospitals beyond 2030.
‘Deplorable breach of trust’
Daisy Cooper, the health spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, criticized the situation, saying, “This is becoming a deplorable breach of trust towards communities across the country. Frankly, 2030 is an unattainable goal.
“There is still no sign of these new hospitals, and today’s announcement confirms that for some areas, construction will not even begin for years to come. What a farce.”
Nigel Edwards, the chief executive of the think tank The Nuffield Trust, welcomed the renewed commitment to the struggling new hospitals program.
“This commitment should assist NHS trusts in replacing dilapidated structures, addressing issues such as unsafe temporary roofs, and enhancing facilities for patients,” he commented.
However, he called for clarification on whether the mentioned funding amounts constitute new additions to the NHS capital budget.
“If there is no additional funding available, we should not make the mistake of diverting funds urgently needed for upgrading inadequate NHS IT or addressing the backlog of maintenance that has been neglected,” he added.
‘Unsustainable to continue patchwork repairs’
Meanwhile, Professor Tim Orchard, the chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which oversees St Mary’s Hospital, stressed the urgency of the hospital’s redevelopment.
“With the support of the New Hospital Programme, we are exploring various funding and design options to ensure a complete rebuild of St Mary’s Hospital, as well as the refurbishment and expansion of Charing Cross and Hammersmith hospitals, by 2030,” he revealed.
He warned that delays could make it “unsustainable to continue patchwork repairs of our oldest facilities.”
“As London’s busiest major trauma center and the host of the NHS’s largest biomedical research center, the adverse impact on the health and healthcare of hundreds of thousands of people would be significant,” he concluded.
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