More than half of the 40 new hospitals planned by the Tories could be postponed, the Health Secretary admitted yesterday.
Wes Streeting said the cost of the programme had ‘risen by billions’ and that the Government was considering changing the timetable for 25 of the new hospitals.
In their 2019 election manifesto, the Conservatives pledged to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030.
But in a letter to MPs as Labour‘s annual conference in Liverpool was under way, Mr Streeting said the programme was ‘undeliverable’.
Instead, he promised a ‘thorough, costed and realistic timeline’, with projects taken forward ‘as financial conditions allow,’ the Telegraph reported.
Keir Starmer, left, and Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, visit the University College London Hospital on September 11
In their 2019 election manifesto, the Conservatives pledged to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030 (stock image)
The construction site at Southern General Hospital
Mr Streeting said: ‘This Government wants to see the NHP (New Hospital Programme) completed, but we are not prepared to offer people false hope about how soon they will benefit from the facilities they deserve.
‘This Government is fully committed to an NHS estate that is fit for the future. However, from our first weeks in office it was clear that the New Hospital Programme was undeliverable, unaffordable, and estimated costs had risen by billions.
He added: ‘Combined with the incredibly challenging fiscal inheritance that the Chancellor set out in her statement on July 29, it has become clear that the challenges facing the NHP, and the wider public finances, are much more severe than we were aware.’
However, Mr Streeting said the rebuilding of hospitals made up almost entirely of crumble-prone concrete will not be delayed.
‘Central to the review is the understanding that the hospitals built primarily from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) need to be replaced as a priority, to protect patient and staff safety.
His letter comes less than a fortnight after a major review of the state of the NHS by Lord Darzi (pictured) concluded that crumbling buildings were hitting productivity
‘While the review is taking place, all schemes within the NHP will be supported to continue to make progress.’
His letter comes less than a fortnight after a major review of the state of the NHS by Lord Darzi concluded that crumbling buildings were hitting productivity.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman 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 biggest concern, so rebuilds of hospitals built primarily from Raac, alongside those where the full business case is already approved, will continue as planned.
‘Our review will provide a thorough, costed and realistic timeline for delivery of the rest of the programme to ensure we can replace the crumbling hospital estate in England.
‘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.’