The new Queen Elizabeth Hospital project will continue and is not affected by a review of the New Hospitals Programme, the health secretary confirmed.  

Wes Streeting has officially revealed that the new hospital falls out of scope for review and will still be built despite concerns over public finances.   

He also confirmed hospitals with approved Full Business Cases and those “wholly or mostly constructed of [the reinforced concrete] RAAC” will be exempt from the review.   

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is among the buildings with structural issues caused by RAAC.  

Mr Streeting said: “We inherited a New Hospital Programme that is undeliverable and unfunded. We will be honest with patients and will put the programme on a sustainable footing.   

“Patient safety is our priority, so RAAC-affected hospitals, alongside those where the Full Business Cases is already approved, will not form part of the review and will continue as planned.”   

He added: “We are reassessing the rest of the programme to ensure every scheme has clear evidence of how it will be funded alongside a realistic timeline for delivery.   

“This, alongside the fundamental reforms that will be introduced in our 10-year plan, will ensure we build an NHS that is fit for the future.” 

The decision has been warmly welcomed and paves the way for the new hospital to be built on the existing site and ready to receive new patients in 2030. 

Alice Webster, CEO of the trust that runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said: “This is fantastic news for our patients, our community and our staff.  

“We know just how much The QEH means to the surrounding community and this announcement will be welcomed by all those connected with the hospital. 

“We now look forward to pressing ahead with our new hospital plans.  

“There is still a thorough process to go through, but we are all committed to delivering a new hospital on this site in 2030. 

“The New QEH will feature modern construction methods and healthcare innovations to meet the needs of the local population for generations to come.” 

It has been decided 21 of the 46 schemes listed under the New Hospital Programme are out of scope and work on their rebuilds will continue.    

Elsewhere in Cambridgeshire, the RAAC-affected Hinchingbrooke Hospital, in Huntingdon has been given the go-ahead to continue with its rebuild.  

However, the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital qualifies for the government review.  

Mr Streeting announced a major review into scheme over the summer when he described the previous administration’s proposals to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 as “unfunded and set to a fictional timeline”.   

The review was later confirmed by the Chancellor in a speech to Parliament.

The outcome of the 25 remaining schemes that are in scope for review will be confirmed as part of the government’s ongoing analysis on public spending.