PRESS RELEASE : Five major hospitals to be rebuilt as part of over £20 billion new hospital infrastructure investment [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 25 May 2023.

Five hospitals constructed mostly using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) will be rebuilt by 2030 as part of the New Hospital Programme.

• Government remains committed to building 40 new hospitals by 2030
• Government confirms for the first time the New Hospital Programme is now expected to be backed by over £20 billion of investment in hospital infrastructure

Patients and staff will benefit from safe, state-of-the-art new facilities and improved care as the government announced its commitment today (Thursday 25 May) to rebuild 5 major hospitals by 2030, as part of the New Hospital Programme. For the first time, the government has confirmed a record investment of over £20 billion is expected to be spent on new hospital infrastructure.

The 5 hospitals are Airedale in West Yorkshire, Queen Elizabeth King’s Lynn in Norfolk, Hinchingbrooke in Cambridgeshire, Mid Cheshire Leighton in Cheshire and Frimley Park in Surrey. These hospitals all have significant amounts of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) – a lightweight type of concrete used to construct parts of the NHS estate in the past but which has a limited lifespan, after which it deteriorates significantly.

The NHS has asked the government to prioritise the rebuilding of these hospitals given the risks they pose to patients and staff – the full extent of which has come to light since the New Hospital Programme was first announced in 2020.

Two of the worst affected hospitals – West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds and James Paget Hospital in Norfolk – have already been announced as part of the New Hospital Programme and the construction of these major new hospitals will be prioritised to ensure patient and staff safety.

As a result of this reprioritisation, as well as the rising cost of construction materials, up to 8 schemes that were originally due to be constructed towards the end of the decade will now be completed past 2030.

The government remains committed to delivering all hospitals within the programme as soon as possible – the biggest in a generation – and will ensure all schemes have adequate funding.

It is on track to deliver the manifesto commitment to build 40 new hospitals in England by 2030, because in addition to the 5 RAAC hospitals, 3 mental health hospitals will also be delivered through wider capital funding by 2030 – as part of a commitment to eradicate dormitory accommodation from mental health facilities across the country and put mental health on an equal footing to physical health.

Two hospitals in the New Hospital Programme are already complete and 5 in construction. By the end of next year more than 20 will be underway or complete.

The government will keep the situation under review and do everything it can to accelerate the completion timeline of the hospitals impacted, if circumstances allow. The New Hospital Programme will continue to work closely with new and existing schemes on their plans to ensure they deliver for patients, staff and communities.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, said:

These 5 hospitals are in pressing need of repair and are being prioritised so patients and staff can benefit from major new hospital buildings, equipped with the latest technology.

On top of this I’m strengthening our New Hospital Programme by today confirming that it is expected to represent more than £20 billion of new investment in hospital infrastructure.

As we approach the 75th anniversary of our fantastic NHS, this extra investment will ensure it can care for patients for decades to come and help cut waiting lists so they get the treatment they need quicker.

Going forward, new schemes will be considered through a rolling programme of capital investment in hospital infrastructure to secure the building of new hospitals beyond 2030.

It will mean further future investment to upgrade NHS facilities across the country, with details to be agreed periodically to provide greater future certainty, and will allow more than 40 new hospitals to be built in the longer term.

By developing a national approach to delivering new hospitals, they can be built more quickly and at a reduced cost, providing value for taxpayers. Patients and staff will benefit from modern hospital design making use of the latest technology, digital innovation and sustainability to improve overall patient experience and provide a better working environment for staff.

This is in addition to substantial wider capital investment which is delivering vital improvements across the NHS, including major upgrades.

The government remains committed to eradicating RAAC from the wider NHS estate by 2035 and has already allocated £685 million in immediate support to affected trusts to help keep patients and staff safe.

Health Minister, Lord Markham, said:

We are investing in new NHS facilities across the country giving patients the certainty they can access world-leading care in state-of-the-art hospitals, both now and in the years to come.

In the immediate term, we’re focussing on quickly and safely rebuilding hospitals in areas which need it most – specifically those affected by this specific type of concrete, which poses a significant risk to patients and staff if not rebuilt by 2030 – with over £20 billion expected to be invested in new hospital infrastructure.

In the long term, our new standardised design means we can rapidly replicate new hospitals across the country, helping speed up construction and improving services for patients faster.

Senior Responsible Owner of the New Hospital Programme, Natalie Forrest, said:

This is a significant milestone for the New Hospital Programme, as we continue to progress with delivering facilities for staff and patients at the cutting edge of modern technology with the experience of those who will use these hospitals at the heart of our focus.

We’re continuing to build healthcare infrastructure that improves patient care – including modern designs, creating single rooms ensuring maximum natural light and access to outdoor spaces. This new design will reduce the workload of NHS staff through digital solutions, well designed flow and designated areas for staff recuperation.

I look forward to continuing to work with all trusts already in the programme and welcoming the new ones into the New Hospital Programme.