😠 New Hospital Programme Review

Commons Chamber

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The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, slammed the previous Conservative Government for making unfulfilled promises about building 40 new hospitals, highlighting the delays and lack of funding. A new Labour Government plan was announced with a phased construction schedule for new hospitals, funded by £15 billion over five-year waves, promising a realistic and deliverable timeline. The plan addresses the urgent needs of hospitals affected by RAAC concrete and aims to rebuild trust by providing honest updates on NHS infrastructure projects. The statement sparked heated exchanges in Parliament, with opposition members criticizing the delays and Labour defending their approach as a necessary correction to past broken promises.

Summary

  • Criticism of Conservative Promises: The Secretary of State, Wes Streeting, criticized the Conservative party for misleading the public by promising to build 40 new hospitals by 2030, a commitment they never intended to keep. The reality was that many projects were delayed, and some were merely extensions or refurbishments, not new builds.

  • Funding Shortfall: Streeting revealed that upon taking office, he discovered that the funding allocated by the previous government for the hospital program was set to run out in March, suggesting that the program lacked sustainable financial backing.

  • New Labor Government Plan: The new Labour Government has secured £15 billion over five-year waves to fund the construction of new hospitals. This funding will complement £1 billion for tackling dangerous building materials and £1.5 billion for new healthcare infrastructure like surgical hubs.

  • Hospital Construction Phases: The new hospital program is divided into phases:
    • Wave Zero (2024-2027): Advanced projects expected to complete within three years.
    • Wave 1 (2025-2030): Includes seven hospitals made of risky RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) and other schemes.
    • Wave 2 (2030-2035): Scheduled projects starting construction in this period.
    • Wave 3 (2035-2039): Later phase projects, including several major hospitals.

  • Opposition Response: The Conservative shadow Health Secretary, Edward Argar, accused the Labour government of breaking election promises and delaying necessary hospital upgrades. He argued that the economic situation inherited by Labour did not justify the delays.

  • Rebuilding Trust: Streeting emphasized that Labour’s new plan aims to rebuild trust in the government by being honest about the timeline and funding for the hospital projects, contrasting this with the previous government’s approach.

  • Future Communication: Further details on the hospital program will be made available on the Department’s website, and the Minister for Secondary Care will hold meetings to answer further questions from MPs.

  • Contracting and Construction Strategy: The government plans to launch a new construction framework to work in partnership with the industry, using standardized designs to mitigate risks and save money.

  • Public and Political Reaction: There was a mix of disappointment and support for the new timeline among MPs, reflecting the urgency and frustration over the delays in essential healthcare infrastructure.

Divisiveness

The session exhibited a significant degree of disagreement and debate between the Members of Parliament regarding the scheduling and funding of the New Hospital Programme. The Members critiqued each other’s parties and leadership, accusing them of overpromising and underdelivering on hospital infrastructure. The opposition members highlighted the inadequacies and delays in the stated program and sought clarifications about specific hospital projects, while the Secretary of State defended the programme’s timeline and funding, citing the allocation of resources and prioritization as necessary and realistic adjustments. This indicates a high level of contention, albeit within the bounds of parliamentary decorum, leading to a rating of 4 for disagreement.