At least half of the 40 new hospitals promised by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the new report states, won’t be ready as soon as earlier projected. Wes Streeting Labour’s health secretary is likely to tell the people next week how many of those originally set for replacement by 2030 might end up very delayed.
The long-term ambitious £30bn project of the Conservative government to replace the crumbling NHS hospitals is now at a standstill due to rising costs and fiscal constraints. Only about 12 of 40 projects are likely to continue, including seven hospitals at risk of imminent collapse due to unsafe Raac concrete.
The delay, which affects about 20 hospitals, is a blow to both patients and healthcare staff, many of whom are working in buildings that are no longer fit for purpose. Hospital leaders are likely to be frustrated by the move, which may also attract criticism from local MPs.
According to Streeting, the Conservative government left Labour an underfunded infrastructure project, there was little beyond March 2025 for it to really go on, he said. He pointed out that rebuilds would occur anyhow, but only within a completely rearranged time frame.
The Treasury has played a significant role in scaling back the programme due to the government’s strained finances. Healthcare experts have warned that postponing hospital rebuilds is a false economy, as many hospitals already spend taxpayers’ money maintaining dilapidated buildings.
Local MPs and health campaigners have been angry at the delays, saying that both Conservative and Labour governments failed to put the patient’s safety and healthcare infrastructure first. The government is said to publish the full outcome of the review soon.
