Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

New Hospitals

Tuesday 7 March 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to building 40 new hospitals with an initial 3.7 billion budget for the first four years.
  • Planning consent for Hillingdon Hospital was granted, but the exact start date for construction has not been announced.
  • Progress on rebuilding North Manchester General Hospital has been slow, despite initial government announcements four years ago.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Emma Lewell Lab South Shields
NHS
Context

The Labour MP questioned the Department's budget allocation and timeline for delivering 40 new hospitals, a significant commitment made by the government.

Question

What is his Department's budget and timetable for the delivery of 40 new hospitals?

Answer from Steve Barclay

The Government are committed to building 40 new hospitals, which is why we have confirmed an initial £3.7 billion for the first four years of the new hospital programme.

Answered
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Q2 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
NHS
Context

The MP inquired about the status of building work on a new hospital that received planning consent earlier this year.

Question

One of those 40 new hospitals is Hillingdon Hospital. At the start of this year, Hillingdon Council granted planning consent for the proposed new hospital, which is much awaited by my constituents. Will my right hon. Friend tell me when we might expect building work to commence?

Answer from Steve Barclay

As my hon. Friend knows, I have been to Hillingdon to look at the scheme. I am aware of how essential it is to his local area. He will know that on 22 February, the Prime Minister spoke at Prime Minister's questions of the Government's commitment to building 40 new hospitals, and I hope to announce something on that very shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: A timeline for commencement is not provided; announcement expected shortly instead.

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Q3 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
NHS
Context

The MP raised concerns about the deteriorating conditions at North Manchester General Hospital and inquired about progress since the government's announcement of a rebuild.

Question

The conditions at North Manchester General Hospital continue to worsen. Last month, theatres were forced to close for six weeks following a ceiling collapse. It is four years since the Government announced the rebuild under the new hospital programme, but little progress has been made. In January, the leader of Manchester City Council wrote to the Secretary of State offering to host a meeting to discuss the project. Will he commit to accepting the invitation?

Answer from Steve Barclay

I or another member of the ministerial team will, of course, meet the leader of Manchester council to discuss this. We are making progress. The hon. Gentleman will have seen progress, for example, at the Royal Liverpool and the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, but I confirm our commitment to the 40 hospitals programme and hope to say more on that shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: A specific date or action plan was not committed; only progress in other areas cited.

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Q4 Emma Lewell Lab South Shields
NHS
Context

The MP expressed concern about the decline in services at South Tyneside District Hospital, despite widespread opposition to changes.

Question

I heard the responses from the Secretary of State, and it must be really hard for him to keep up the pretence about these mythical hospitals. Here is the reality of what is happening in hospitals around the country. South Tyneside District Hospital was award winning. Despite widespread opposition from all of us at the Save South Tyneside Hospital campaign, we have seen a loss of key services and a downgrading of other services. Despite the work of the amazing staff, the hospital now requires improvement. Why is his Government forcing that decline?

Answer from Steve Barclay

The Government have committed an initial £3.7 billion, which indicates our commitment to the new hospital programme. As I said, I will have more to say on that shortly.

Not addressed: No explanation provided for the decline in service quality; shifted focus to budget commitment and vague future announcements.

How: Deflecting

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Q5 Peter Bone Con
NHS
Context

The MP inquired about the progress on a new hospital project, noting that enabling works have already started.

Question

Kettering General Hospital serves my constituency, and work has already started on building a new hospital—one of the Boris hospitals—so I do not know what all the fuss is about. The Government are getting on and doing the job. Is that correct?

Answer from Steve Barclay

It is. As my hon. Friend will know from another of my visits, which was with him to Kettering, the enabling works are progressing. That is in no small part a tribute to the work that he and neighbouring MPs have done to strongly make the case for Kettering. I know that he will continue to do so, and I look forward to working with him on that.

Answered
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