The Health Minister, Karin Smith MP, has given a commitment the government “remains committed to delivering the New Hospital Programme and to the replacement of the seven hospitals constructed wholly or primarily from RAAC, including the QEH.”
This reassurance followed James raising urgent concerns with the Health Secretary last month. He sought reassurances over the impact of potential reductions in the Department of Health and Social Care capital budget amid efforts by the Treasury to make spending cuts to fund defence.
James urged the Health Secretary that “it is essential momentum is maintained and that there is no uncertainty that could risk delays or undermine confidence in the project” and called on the government to confirm “the up to £1.5 billion allocation for the QEH in King’s Lynn remains unchanged.”
In the Minister’s response, she confirmed there were “no plans to change the commitment to deliver the hospitals” under the New Hospital Programme, of which the new QEH is a wave 1 priority and will be amongst the first to be built.
Commenting, James said:
“Delivering the new QEH is my priority and given uncertainty around potential changes to health funding, I am pleased the government has given me an assurance it is committed to the scheme and the funding of up to £1.5 billion.
“With the ground-breaking to mark the start of construction of the new multi-storey car park later this month, this provides important certainty to push ahead with the plans.”
The Minister also gave assurances the current QEH will have access to funding and support from NHS England’s RAAC (Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) programme to ensure facilities remain safe and open until the new hospital is built. This is in addition to £46 million in operational capital that will be given to the Trust across the next four years for local priorities, including estates improvements.
