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Aug 16, 2023

Speculation mounts over QEH rebuild breakthrough

Speculation continues to mount that good news could finally be on the horizon

Speculation continues to mount that good news could finally be on the horizon for the crumbling Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.

Reports in the national press suggest that the hospital, which is currently held up by more than 4,000 props, could see funding fast-tracked for its much-needed rebuild.

The Sunday Times has reported that the King's Lynn site is one of five in urgent need of repair that is set to be prioritised in the government's new hospital programme.

Originally, the QEH was not included in a list of 40 hospitals promised to be either replaced or repaired as part of the Conservative Party's 2019 manifesto.

Since then, repeated calls have been made for the hospital to be replaced, with bosses forced to add more and more metal and wooden props to be installed at the dilapidated site.

But if reports prove accurate, the QEH is set to leap to the front of the queue, with the urgency of its need finally being prioritised.

The hospital is one of a number nationally which was built from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, with an expected lifespan of 30 years. The hospital opened in 1980 - 43 years ago.

Paul Brooks, director of estates and facilities at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We continue our rolling RAAC programme of installing steel and timber support props across the hospital to maximise the safety of our buildings for our patients and staff.

"We are working with the national new hospital programme team who are supporting us to find a long-term solution."

The reports suggest it will also be positive news for the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, another hospital made from the controversial building material.

In December, Lord Nick Markham, parliamentary under-secretary of state responsible for new hospitals, indicated a decision would be made in early 2023.