Following QEH's ranking at the bottom of new NHS hospital league table, North West Norfolk MP James Wild, has called on the Health Secretary to set out the specific support the NHS is putting in place for QEH and challenging him over plans to make savings of £18 million.
James supports greater transparency and accountability in the NHS provided it galvanises action to tackle waiting times rather than simply generating headlines. So in his letter James said "what support will the NHS centrally and the best performing Trusts be providing to QEH to help deliver better care and outcomes for patient and to reduce waiting times and when?"
James also highlighted the potential impact of the financial cuts QEH is having to make questioning "what assessment you have made of the impact of the NHS requiring QEH to make £18 million savings will have on the objective of reducing waiting times?"
Finally, James reiterated his call to make progress on the new hospital as rapidly as possible as "new facilities go hand in hand with improved care". In his letter he pointed out the Health Secretary has said the delayed opening date of 2032/3 could be accelerated "if plans are ready and that there are no budgetary or drawdown funding issues that would preclude that. He urged the Health Secretary to ensure construction on the new multi-story car park begins as soon as possible as this is the key enabling project for the new hospital.
Notes to Editors
Text of Letter:
Dear Secretary of State,
NHS Oversight Framework: QEH Trust King’s Lynn
I write further to publication of the NHS Oversight Framework and the ranking for the Queen Elizabeth hospital (QEH) in King’s Lynn in my constituency.
The very disappointing ranking for the QEH underlines that current performance on elective care, cancer referrals, and A&E is simply not good enough. Patients deserve much better. While this is outcome is uncomfortable, I support greater transparency and accountability in the NHS and this data must galvanise action.
To that end, when the new interim Executive Director Chris Bown joined the Trust recently, I highlighted the need to reduce waiting lists as well as improve productivity in the hospital. When we met a few weeks ago, he fully recognised the issues and with his background in improving clinical and financial performance assured me the senior leadership have a plan to drive up performance and reduce waiting times.
The plan QEH has set out includes reducing long wait times in the Emergency Department by recruiting more specialist consultants. There are also plans to create an urgent treatment centre in 2026. Cancer waiting times are a particular concern, and bringing in specialist support to increase capacity and cut diagnostic waits is planned.
My question for you is what specific support will the NHS centrally and the best performing Trusts be providing to QEH to help deliver better care and outcomes for patients and to reduce waiting times and when? What assessment have you made of the impact of the NHS requiring QEH to make £18 million savings will have on the objective of reducing waiting times?
As you are aware, dedicated staff at QEH are also working in a hospital that is not fit for purpose. Thousands of timber and steel supports are in place to hold up the roof and walls built with RAAC. I welcome confirmation of the funding envelope for the new hospital provided by ministers earlier this year but it is over a year since the election and funds have yet to be released to fund the multi-storey car park - the key enabling project.
I reiterate the call I have made regularly in the Chamber to progress the new hospital as rapidly as possible as new facilities go hand in hand with improved care. You confirmed to me previously that the delayed opening date you have set of 2032/3, rather than 2030, could be accelerated if plans are ready and that there are no budgetary or drawdown funding issues that would preclude that. I therefore urge you and the New Hospitals Team to ensure the car park construction is approved as soon as possible.
Finally, many of your predecessors as Health Secretary and health ministers accepted my invitation in the last Parliament to visit QEH. I would like you to come to the hospital to reiterate to staff that their efforts are rightly recognised and that they will be supported to deliver the improvements we all want to see.
