Reading & Basingstoke hospital delays: MPs react
Local MPs have been having their say about the 10-15 year delay announced for rebuilding the RBH in Reading and the Basingstoke and north Hampshire hospital
Local MPs have been having their say about the news that new hospitals in Reading and Basingstoke won't be built until after 2035.
Reading's three Labour MPs Olivia Bailey, Matt Rodda and Yuan Yang said:
“We are pleased we now have a definitive commitment and a realistic plan to deliver the world class hospital our community deserves, but we are disappointed by the delay to its construction. We will continue to fight tirelessly to make the case for our promised hospital to be built as soon as possible.
“This delay is a direct consequence of the Conservative Party promising a new hospital when they knew they had no money to pay for it, and leaving a huge black hole in the public finances. Today the government has set out the realistic, costed plan that the Conservatives should have delivered.
“This government was elected to fix our broken NHS and we are getting on with the job. Alongside our plan for new hospitals, we are delivering millions more appointments to bring down waiting times, investing in new diagnostic scanners and surgical hubs, improving choice and convenience and ensuring everyone in Berkshire can access a family doctor.
“We will continue to work hard to ensure our local NHS provides the best possible treatment for local people.”
Basingstoke's Labour MP Luke Murphy said he was 'disappointed and angry'. He added:
"Basingstoke needs a new hospital. We’re a growing town, with health demand increasing by the day, and the current hospital building does not allow for the standard of healthcare that people in our area both need and deserve."
But ultimately he blamed the previous government for the delay.
"Today’s announcement confirms the truth - the Conservatives’ so called ‘new hospital programme’ was a sham from the start and they, and my predecessor outright lied to the public."
Liberal Democrat MP for Wokingham Clive Jones said:
“I am deeply saddened to hear that the Government is putting the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s rebuild back so far.
“Be in no doubt – it is the Conservative government that put us in this position, promising the rebuild of the Royal Berks, wasting years whilst not allocating the money or committing proper resources to the project and ultimately delivering nothing.
“The incredible staff at the Royal Berks deserve so much better. Many of those who came to the hospital in 2019 on a wave of optimism following the Conservatives’ false promises will have retired by the time this rebuild finally gets underway. And patients promises will have retired by the time this rebuild finally gets underway.
“We have to do better. Delaying the rebuild only becomes more expensive, costing the taxpayer even more down the line. And until we do, the government will need to find additional money to make good the existing problems.”
Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury Lee Dillon said the delay was 'unacceptable':
"Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury, Lee Dillon, said: “Patient safety here in Newbury is at risk, and we have been desperately let down. “We simply can’t wait until 2035 or beyond for the Royal Berkshire Hospital to be rescued. The Conservatives broke their word to our community, and now this government has kicked the issue into the long grass.
“I was born in the Royal Berkshire Hospital and will shortly be turning 42. By the time this new hospital is rebuilt, I’ll most likely be 60. That’s how long we’ve been made to wait, and it’s unacceptable.
“The Health Secretary must immediately publish the impact assessment of what these delays will mean for people here in Newbury and how much longer we will have to endure substandard local health services. I will continue fighting for our community day in and day out until we get the commitments we need.”
Another Liberal Democrat MP Freddie van Mierlo who represents Henley and Thame said:
"The govt. decision to put the RBH in the last wave of new hospitals (2040+) is a body blow to the people of Henley and the surrounding area. It’s a false economy and risks throwing good money after bad as the Royal Berks spends big to maintain a crumbling building."
But it wasn't all bad news Bracknell MP Peter Swallow said he was pleased Frimley Park would be amongst the first hospitals to be rebuilt. He said "It is great to have this certainty after years of broken promises."
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