A local councillor has expressed “deep concern” over the future of Hillingdon Hospital after ministers announced that the Tories’ New Hospital Programme would be scrapped.
On a visit to Hillingdon last year, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the hospital was the “worst I have ever seen” and vowed to rebuild it in the first term of a Labour Government.
But in a letter sent to MPs on September 23, Mr Streeting confirmed that the hospital was among 25 projects that may not go ahead due to funding concerns. Ministers will instead prioritise rebuilding hospitals where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) concrete has been found, as the buildings pose a risk to staff and patients.
The Conservative leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ian Edwards wrote to Mr Streeting on Thursday seeking confirmation that the planned rebuild of the hospital would go ahead.
He wrote: “This has caused significant concern among the residents of Hillingdon, who have been eagerly anticipating the much-needed improvements to our local healthcare facilities.
"It is no secret that the current Hillingdon Hospital is in urgent need of modernisation to meet the growing demands of our community."
He pointed out that funding assurances had been given by the previous Government and the Borough of Hillingdon, while planning permission has been granted by the Greater London Authority (GLA).
During his visit to the hospital with Labour MP Danny Beales on June 26 last year, Mr Streeting remarked that staff were working in “intolerable conditions”.
He wrote on X: “Hillingdon Hospital is the worst hospital building I’ve seen as Shadow Health Secretary. It is a monument to 13 years of Conservative failure. Their time is up.
“Today, with Danny, I committed to delivering a new hospital for Hillingdon in the first term of a Labour government.”
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospital, has said that 80 per cent of the building will require “major repair or replacement” soon.
Undertaking the necessary repairs would cost over £200m, making it the second most expensive maintenance bill for a hospital Trust in England.
Hillingdon Hospital is the worst hospital building I’ve seen as Shadow Health Secretary.
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) June 26, 2023
It is a monument to 13 years of Conservative failure. Their time is up.
Today, with Danny, I committed to delivering a new hospital for Hillingdon in the first term of a Labour government. https://t.co/W6sf5gB5bX
Cllr Edwards said the new hospital would provide “state-of-the-art facilities in new buildings and enhanced patient care.”.
He went on: “You backed this during your visit by saying ‘I'm making a commitment today that the next Labour Government will deliver the modern state-of-theart hospital that the people of Hillingdon need. And we will do it in the first term of a Labour government.’
“The decision to review this project, with no consultation, not only delays these critical improvements but also undermines the trust of Hillingdon residents in the promises you have made to them regarding the hospital.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We inherited a New Hospital Programme that is undeliverable and unfunded. We will be honest with patients and will put the programme on a sustainable footing.
“Patient safety is our biggest concern, so rebuilds of hospitals built primarily from RAAC, alongside those where the Full Business Case is already approved, will continue as planned. Our review will provide a thorough, costed and realistic timeline for delivery of the rest of the programme to ensure we can replace the crumbling hospital estate in England.
“This, alongside the fundamental reforms that will be introduced in our 10-year plan, will ensure we build an NHS that is fit for the future.”
A response to Cllr Edwards will be sent in due course and the outcome of the review will be published as soon as possible, it is understood.
