New Hospital Programme

Cat Smith, the Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, about the progress made on the new hospital programme. Smith highlighted that Lancaster's Royal Infirmary is a Victorian hospital that is no longer fit for purpose, and expressed support for a new build scheme in Lancaster. She requested that the Secretary of State meet with her and other local MPs to ensure that the Labour government will deliver a new hospital for Lancaster after 14 years of "chaos under the Conservatives". In response, Streeting acknowledged the urgency around the issue and stated that a scheme for Lancaster will be put to him shortly, which he will consider carefully. He said he will look at the programme as a whole and ensure that he can make promises that the country can afford and keep. James Wild, the Conservative MP for North West Norfolk, then asked Streeting to honour Labour's election pledge to deliver the new hospitals programme, including modernising the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn. Streeting responded that hospitals with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete are a top priority, and that the government will "clean up their mess". The shadow Minister, Dr Caroline Johnson, congratulated Streeting on his new position and declared her experience as an NHS consultant paediatrician. She questioned Streeting about the review of the new hospital programme, which she said is putting vital projects at risk. Streeting welcomed Johnson to her new role and stated that the previous government had handed over an "entirely fictional timetable and an unfunded programme". Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat MP for St Albans, also welcomed Streeting and warned him that if he intends to have a contest on which member can "harangue him the most on crumbling hospitals", the 72 Liberal Democrat MPs are ready to accept the challenge. She highlighted the issues with trusts being held back and the need for a thriving industry to rebuild hospitals. Streeting acknowledged Cooper's points and stated that the condition of the entire NHS estate is poor, which he attributed to the legacy of the previous Conservative government.