This week, James Wild MP spoke to Radio Norfolk over his concern about Labour’s broken promise and delay of opening date of new QEH hospital beyond 2030.
In an update on the New Hospitals Programme review, the Health Secretary today announced that construction on new QEH would be delayed with work not starting until 2027-2028.
James then challenged this in Parliament raising it with the Health Secretary. Recognising the urgent need for a new Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn due to RAAC safety concerns. James asked if the Health Secretary would expedite the business case approvals for the multi-storey car park, a crucial project to begin the hospital rebuild, and whether he would commit to meeting the 2030 deadline, which marks the hospital’s end of life.
Speaking on BBC Rdio Norfolk James said:
“I’m very disappointed by this decision, its concerning or the staff patients and local community. The hospital trust only last week said they were ready to start work on the multi-story car park this year and then work hospital itself next year.
The Labour Health Secretary has now pushed that back and he has pushed back the date of the new hospital opening from 2020 to 2032/33. We know that the end of life at the hospital is 2030 that’s based on independent safety advice. So it is concerning and the only slither of hope I see is that there is going to be a further review of the specific situation of QEH and other RAAC’s and we will be making the case that it needs to be done and we have a plan to do it.”
