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Government's 40 New Hospitals Pledge May Include Refurbishments, Admits Health Secretary

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Sakchi Khandelwal
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Health Secretary Steve Barclay outside the BBC Broadcasting House
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Image Credit: PA Wire

Health Secretary Steve Barclay clarifies that the government's commitment to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 may involve refurbishments and new wings instead of entirely new constructions

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Health Secretary Steve Barclay has acknowledged that the government's promise to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030 will not necessarily involve building from scratch. He stated that the pledge would encompass a range of approaches, including refurbishments and the development of new wings within existing facilities.

The government caused confusion earlier this week when it reiterated its 2019 manifesto commitment to construct 40 new hospitals by the end of the decade, while acknowledging that completion of work on up to eight original sites may not be feasible. Instead, some hospitals that are at risk of collapse or require upgrades will be included in the program.

When asked to clarify the pledge, Barclay explained on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg program, "Some of the schemes include, for example, a hospital being gutted and fully refurbished – if you look at Charing Cross for example, that's exactly what we'll be doing. And we'll be starting work to decant some of the facilities and then refurbish, so there's a range of things."

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Criticism from opposition MPs followed the announcement, with Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper, stating, "Never has a Health Secretary been responsible for so many broken promises. From fixing crumbling hospitals to reforming social care, it is all delay, delay, delay."

In response, the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust expressed its disagreement with Barclay's statement, stating that it did not align with their understanding of the next steps for urgently needed redevelopments.

Opposition Criticism and Broken Promises

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Opposition MPs have voiced their dissatisfaction with the changes to the government's hospital construction plans. They argue that the revisions reflect a pattern of broken promises and delays, with little progress made in fixing deteriorating hospitals and addressing the pressing need for social care reform. The criticism highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the government in meeting its healthcare commitments.

Imperfect Alignment with NHS Trust Understanding

The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has expressed its disagreement with Health Secretary Steve Barclay's announcement, stating that it does not align with their understanding of the next steps for crucial redevelopment projects. This highlights potential discrepancies between the government's plans and the expectations of healthcare providers, raising concerns about communication and coordination within the healthcare sector.

Health Secretary NHS Healthcare News Hospital Pledge Hospital Construction Refurbishments Healthcare Commitments Opposition Criticism Broken Promises Social Care Reform
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