In the House of Commons today, the Health Secretary, Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP said that addressing the concerns of RAAC hospitals is “his number one priority”.
He was responding to a question from James Wild MP urging the government to give people of North West Norfolk the present of confirming a new hospital. James highlighted that a decision was originally due on the spring and said with Christmas coming the only question people have is when will a decision will be made.
The exchange at Health questions came after the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed in answer to James that the government was committed to the new hospitals programme and NHS capital spend. James then wrote, with the support of local MPs and council leaders, to the Health Secretary saying now is the time for urgent action and confirmation that the QEH will be one of the government’s new hospitals given its serious RAAC concrete issues.
Three of the signatories, James Wild MP for North West Norfolk, Liz Truss MP for South West Norfolk, and Councillor Stuart Dark, Leader of the Borough Council met with Acting Chief Executive Alice Webster, and Deputy Chief Executive, Laura Skaife-Knight to review the campaign.
James will continue to raise the issue in Parliament and directly with ministers as he has done over the last three years.
Text of the exchange
Health Secretary: I visited the King’s Lynn site and looked at that scheme over the summer. I made clear in a speech that I gave to the NHS Providers that addressing the concerns of the RAAC hospitals is my number one priority. I cannot comment on individual schemes while the process is ongoing but I can assure him that we are working actively on it.
James Wild MP: I warmly welcome the priority that my RHF has put on resolving the serious RAAC issues at the Queen Elizabeth hospital but a decision was due on this in the spring. Well, Christmas is coming and the only question people in North West Norfolk have is when will we get the present that everyone wants and a new hospital for the staff and patients?
Health Secretary: I note the extensive support he has among parliamentary colleagues including the Rt Hon member for South West Norfolk who has recently added her support to the campaign. He’ll be aware we allocated £20 million this year and £30 million last year to address some of the immediate issues but we recognise it is a priority and we are working on it.”
