8 hours Ago By Hugo Berger
Members of Parliament in Surrey and Hampshire have sounded the alarm over patient safety following the announcement of delays to critical hospital rebuilds. This week, Will Forster, the Liberal Democrat MP for Woking, and Damian Hinds, the Conservative MP for East Hampshire, both condemned the Government after it was revealed that essential work on hospitals in the region would be postponed. Mr Forster highlighted Frimley Park Hospital, which was scheduled for rebuilding in 2023 due to the presence of deteriorating reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) beams affecting 65 percent of the hospital's infrastructure.
He said: “Frimley Park Hospital is a vital local service for Woking residents. I was even born there. It's a disgrace that the redevelopment of it has been pushed back even further.
We deserve better.” The project had originally been promised by former prime minister Boris Johnson, with plans to begin construction in 2025 and complete the new building by 2030. However, health secretary Wes Streeting said the initial construction phase will now be postponed until 2028 at the earliest.
The Government also announced that new hospitals for Basingstoke and North Hampshire would be pushed back for several years. Mr Hinds said: “It’s deeply disappointing that the much needed new hospital for Basingstoke and North Hampshire has been pushed so far back. The government says it will now only begin construction between 2037 and 2039.
“Clinicians and hospital staff have long made the case for a new facility, and plans were already well under development. This delay is a significant setback for the thousands of people who rely on the hospital, including many residents in East Hampshire.” Dr Al Pinkerton, the Liberal Democrat MP for Surrey Heath, joined Mr Forster in condemning the delays to Frimley Park.
“We simply can’t wait any longer for Frimley Park Hospital to be rescued. The Conservatives broke their word to our community, and now this government has kicked the issue into the long grass,” Dr Pinkerton said. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust insisted patient care was still a key priority.
A spokesperson said: “For the new Frimley Park Hospital, a cost estimate of between £1.5 billion and £2 billion has been announced, which aligns with all the work we have undertaken to date. “In terms of an expected construction date, this has been listed as 2028 to 2029.
However, this is an unexpected, later construction start date than we have been working towards with our national New Hospital Programme (NHP) colleagues. “We will therefore work with our national NHP colleagues to understand why this later date has been published and will continue to drive towards the earliest possible date for construction and completion of a new Frimley Park Hospital, in conjunction with the Frimley Integrated Care Board, NHS England South-East and our NHP colleagues. “In the meantime, our robust programme of remedial works to the current building continues, ensuring we provide care for our patients in a safe environment.
This work will remain a priority until the new hospital opens,” the spokesperson added..
