Steve Barclay MP on Labour review of New Hospitals Programme

Steve Barclay, who is also the MP for North East Cambridgeshire, added two hospitals that serve his constituents to the rebuild programme in May 2023.  

Hinchingbrooke Hospital, in Huntingdon, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in King’s Lynn, were included because the buildings have serious structural issues caused by the reinforced concrete RAAC.  

After Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the pause to the programme as part of immediate budget cuts, he took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his views.  

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in King's Lynn, was added to the New Hospitals Programme in May 2023. (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "Before the election Labour said ‘We are committed to delivering the New Hospitals Programme'. [On Monday] Labour broke this promise by halting the program. 

“As Health Secretary I made some difficult decisions to ensure the programme was affordable back in 2023. This included delaying some projects beyond 2030, so that more urgent schemes could be brought forward in their place.  

“Those brought forward included five hospitals that simply couldn’t wait longer: Airedale, Queen Elizabeth King’s Lynn, Hinchingbrooke, Mid Cheshire, Leighton Frimley Park. They were constructed of RAAC concrete - a material that had deteriorated and was at the end of its lifespan.  

“Communities up and down the country - including in NE Cambs - now face delays to these essential hospital rebuilding programmes. Like Labour’s promises on the winter fuel allowance and the social care cap, it has taken less than one month for them to break their word.”  

Meanwhile, Ben Obese-Jecty, the new Conservative MP for Huntingdon, has requested a meeting with current Health Secretary Wes Streeting to discuss his concerns for Hinchingbrooke Hospital.  

Ben Obese-Jecty, the new Conservative MP for Huntingdon. (Image: Roger Harris / Parliament) In his letter to the minister, Mr Obese-Jecty outlines the difficulties the hospital faces because the RAAC panels used in its construction are at the end of their operational life.  

He said: “Hinchingbrooke Hospital currently has an ongoing rolling programme managed by its Estates and Facilities team to monitor the issue and carry out remedial safety work.  

“Both the Labour ward and Special Care Baby Unit are areas of the hospital where fail-safe works have been necessary as a result.  

“The hospital is currently moving into Phase 3 of its redevelopment programme which should have seen a new hospital built on the existing site by 2030.  

“An expression of interest for funding has already been submitted for funding of enabling works in order to prepare the site for redevelopment.” 

He added: “There is now grave concern locally that Hinchingbrooke Hospital will not be rebuilt and that the Huntingdonshire region and surrounding areas will be left with a hospital that is structurally compromised with buildings being used beyond their planned lifespan.” 

Mr Obese-Jecty has asked whether RAAC-affected hospitals will be prioritised, when funding will be allocated for Hinchingbrooke’s rebuild and when the project is going to “break ground”.  

He also wants clarification on how much longer Hinchingbrooke is expected to operate for with “structurally compromised buildings” and what “contingency plans are in place to mitigate” the issue. 

Hinchingbrooke Hospital, in Huntingdon, has just finished a public consultation which showcased its rebuild plans. (Image: North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust) Mr Obese-Jecty added: “It is imperative that Hinchingbrooke Hospital and other RAAC hospitals are given a clear timeframe for when the funding for rebuilding will be approved and when the hospital can be expected to be operational by. 

“Labour have stated their desire to ensure the NHS is fit for purpose, we urgently need confirmation that local people across Huntingdonshire and the East of England will be granted the new hospitals that they desperately need.” 

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This week, a round of face-to-face and online public consultations were held to showcase plans for the new Hinchingbrooke Hospital. 

Deborah Lee, who is leading the hospital’s redevelopment, states the rebuild deadline remains for 2030 and it is working with the New Hospitals Programme to “achieve this date”.  

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in King’s Lynn, referred to an NHS England statement which says "nothing has changed” when it comes to building the new hospital.  

It said: “... we are in advanced conversation with NHS England and the government and await more detail on what may be involved in this review to determine how long it may take. 

“We are keen to make progress with our plans as soon as possible and prepared to continue to make our case very clearly as part of any review conversations required.”