The Labour government has revised Boris Johnson’s plan, with work on many new hospitals delayed until 2039, as cost skyrockets from £20bn to £50bn

The ambitious promise by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 is in tatters, with Labour’s revised timetable for construction now pushing the completion of many projects into the 2040s. The delay, which sees work on some hospitals not beginning until as late as 2039, has sparked frustration across the health sector, as bosses warn that deteriorating hospital buildings may not survive until their replacements are ready.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting unveiled the revised schedule, which sees 16 of the 40 planned hospitals begin construction between 2025 and 2030. However, 18 projects will not start until after 2030, with 9 not commencing until 2035-39. This includes vital replacements such as St Mary’s Hospital in London, which faces significant infrastructure issues due to 180-year-old sections.

The growing delays have led to grim warnings from health professionals. Prof Tim Orchard, CEO of Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, said St Mary’s would not last until the 2040s, calling the situation devastating for patients and staff. Similarly, Dr James Marsh, deputy CEO of a group of London hospitals, expressed concern over unsafe conditions, particularly at Sutton’s emergency care facility, which has already had to demolish a ward.

The cost of completing the hospitals has soared, increasing from £20bn in 2023 to £48.7bn. Labour’s commitment includes £15bn in funding over the next 15 years, aiming to make these long-delayed projects a reality. Streeting emphasized that the previous government’s failure to fund the programme had led to the situation, branding Johnson’s plan as based on “false hope.”

Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, accused Labour of a “double betrayal” for both failing to honour Johnson’s promises and using the timing of Trump’s inauguration to downplay the news. She criticized the delay as an affront to the communities served by the crumbling hospitals.

While Streeting acknowledged the disappointment caused by the delays, he defended the revised schedule as a “serious, credible plan” to meet the NHS’s needs. The revised timetable, which stretches into the next decade, represents a fundamental shift in the government’s approach to the long-standing issue of hospital infrastructure, now urgently needing overhauls.

THE TELEGRAPH

Labour has delayed the construction of nearly half of the 40 new hospitals promised by the Conservatives in 2019, extending the timeline by a decade. Health Secretary Wes Streeting unveiled a slower schedule, with some projects not beginning until 2039. NHS chiefs expressed disappointment, especially regarding the delayed redevelopment of key hospitals, such as St Mary’s in London, which won’t start until 2035. Streeting defended the delays, claiming the initial pledge was unrealistic and lacked proper funding. Labour’s new timetable includes £15 billion in investment, averaging £3 billion annually, to ensure a credible plan. Seven hospitals are set for completion within three years, while others face delays into the late 2030s. Critics, including the shadow health secretary, argue the delays undermine progress and leave NHS staff and patients facing prolonged uncertainty. Despite this, Streeting insists the plan is funded, honest, and achievable, focusing on long-term NHS infrastructure.

BBC

The £1.6 billion rebuild of the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) in Reading has been delayed, with construction now expected to begin between 2037 and 2039, rather than the previously anticipated 2031. Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticized the Conservative government’s lack of funding for the project, saying it lacked a credible plan. The delay is particularly concerning as RBH, with parts over 175 years old, faces constant repairs, including power cuts and leaking roofs, which have led to the cancellation of 50 operations. Steve McManus, RBH’s chief executive, expressed disappointment, stating that the community would not see a new hospital until the 2040s. A review of hospital projects is ongoing as part of efforts to address a £22bn gap in public finances. The hospital may be relocated to Thames Valley Park or Thames Valley Science Park for cost-effectiveness and better patient care.