On the first day of the House of Commons returning from recess, James Wild MP for North West Norfolk once again made the compelling case for QEH to be selected as one of the new hospital schemes.
Speaking in the House of Commons, James acknowledged the positive impact of the £11 million Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board and Norfolk County Council have been allocated to help tackle delayed discharges from hospital. This funding is being used for measures including increasing payments to domiciliary care staff. However, he also highlighted that 128 patients are currently in QEH who do not need to be there.
In welcoming the extra £250 million of funding the government has prioritised to speed up discharge of patients from hospitals, James argued that the current pressures facing the NHS demonstrated to the Treasury the importance of long term investment in modern hospitals with the care pathways and capacity to deliver better care and the case for a new QEH.
In response, the Health Secretary, Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, recognised James’ campaigning for a new QEH hospital and linking “the importance of discharge at King’s Lynn with the importance of addressing RAAC—reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete—hospitals, on which he has campaigned assiduously.”
He went on to say “As he will know from my speech at the NHS Providers conference, it is an issue that I very much recognise. I have visited the hospital and seen the challenges at first hand; indeed, my son was born in that hospital, so I know it very well. We are discussing that issue with the Treasury and I hope to be in a position to update the House shortly.”
James will continue campaigning with strong local support for the new hospital that patients and staff deserve.
TEXT OF EXCHANGE – 9 JANUARY 2023:
James Wild MP “Norfolk and Waveney has already received £11 million to tackle discharges, which is making a difference. However, today there are 128 patients in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn who do not need to be there. This additional funding is welcome, but do these pressures not also underline to the Treasury the long-term importance of investing in modern hospitals that are able to meet demand and the case for including the QEH in the new hospitals programme?”
Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP “My hon. Friend skilfully combines the importance of discharge at King’s Lynn with the importance of addressing RAAC—reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete—hospitals, on which he has campaigned assiduously. As he will know from my speech at the NHS Providers conference, it is an issue that I very much recognise. I have visited the hospital and seen the challenges at first hand; indeed, my son was born in that hospital, so I know it very well. We are discussing that issue with the Treasury and I hope to be in a position to update the House shortly.”
