Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

New Hospital Programme and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

13 June 2023 · 6 other contributors · 9,031 words

Opened by Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick

Responding minister: Will Quince

NHS

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Andrew Slaughter raised concerns about new hospital programme and imperial college healthcare nhs trust in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The Secretary of State's statement removed Charing Cross, Hammersmith, and St Mary's hospitals from the 2030 completion timeline, causing concern.
  • The bill for essential repairs on these three hospitals is about 350 million, but making them fit for the future would cost between 3 billion to 4 billion.
  • The lead MP requests clarity on the timeline, budget allocation, and specific works to be done at each hospital before 2030.

Key requests to Government

The lead MP requests clarity from the Minister regarding the timeline, budget allocation, and specific works to be done at each hospital before 2030. The total budget for rebuild schemes at each hospital is also in question, along with whether this is secured funding and when it will be allocated. The speaker asks the Minister if the Government will conduct a review in light of Patricia Hewitt's recommendations and requests clarity on why some schemes go ahead while others languish without any visible criteria or timeline.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick

The hospitals in question—Charing Cross, Hammersmith, and St Mary's—are major teaching, emergency, trauma, research, academic, and tertiary hospitals with a national and international reputation. The Secretary of State's statement on the new hospital programme removed these hospitals from completion by 2030, causing concern over what works will be done at each before 2030, how much budget is allocated for this, whether it comes out of the £20 billion new hospitals programme, and when the works for each hospital will be completed. The bill for essential repairs on these three hospitals is about £350 million but making them fit for the future would cost between £3 billion to £4 billion. The speaker is concerned about the lack of transparency in the new hospital programme, noting that it was not new, they were not hospitals, and there certainly were not 40 of them. The National Audit Office reported that NHS estate does not meet modern demands, with growth in backlog maintenance risking patient harm and underestimating capital needs. Billions of pounds in capital have been diverted to cover inadequate revenue funding, while some cannot be used due to technical reasons, leading to underspends. Assets are sold to fund day-to-day activities.

Other contributors (6)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    The MP supported the new hospital programme, noting delays due to the pandemic and emphasizing the importance of modernizing hospitals across the UK. He highlighted a £261 million revamp in Northern Ireland's Ulster Hospital as an example.

  • Karen Buck Lab Westminster North

    Ms Karen Buck highlighted that St Mary's Hospital, part of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, faces significant maintenance issues and a large backlog. She noted that despite promises made in 2019, funding for the hospital redevelopment has been delayed beyond 2030. The hospital suffers from frequent structural problems such as floods, fires, and ceiling collapses, affecting patient care and costing an estimated £6 million to £7 million annually in ad hoc repairs.

  • Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central

    The MP expressed concern about the Royal Berkshire Hospital missing out on rebuilding funds and stressed the need for timely investment to address serious building issues, which affect patient care and staff morale. He called for clarity from the government regarding funding timelines. Asked the Minister to give way.

  • Nickie Aiken Con Cities of London and Westminster

    St Mary's Hospital in Nickie Aiken's constituency requires a complete redevelopment, including an 840-bed research-led major trauma and acute teaching hospital. The development is crucial for site regeneration and enhancing patient care. Concerns about the condition of current buildings impacting patient care and staff working conditions are significant.

  • Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton

    Rupa Huq emphasised the personal connection she has to the hospitals in her constituency, noting issues such as crumbling estates and backlogs that predate the pandemic. She highlighted a constituent's concern about only one temporary scanner at Hammersmith Hospital, describing it as scandalous.

  • Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth

    Ms Cadbury expressed concern over the impact of delayed or inadequate repair and rebuild of NHS buildings on staff and patients, citing issues such as leaking roofs, failing electrics, flooding sewage systems, and structural faults. She highlighted that 7.3 million people are currently on the NHS backlog in the UK, including 48,000 from her constituency who were waiting for treatment last year. She also mentioned the dependency of the NHS on private sector laboratories due to a lack of investment in technology and equipment.

Government Response

Will Quince

Acknowledged that the Government remain committed to building 40 new hospitals by 2030 with over £20 billion in funding. Clarified that Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has received a significantly larger indicative allocation than previously given, with no schemes removed from the programme despite delays to start dates beyond 2030 for certain projects due to their early development stage. Stressed the importance of preparatory works such as enabling works and business case readiness for the two Imperial schemes, which include rebuilding Hammersmith Hospital, refurbishing Charing Cross Hospital, and redeveloping St Mary's in Paddington.

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