'Improved experience' for patients thanks to new Hinchingbrooke Hospital
The Government's said it can remain safely open beyond 2030
The person in charge of the rebuild of Hinchingbrooke Hospital said it will bring an "improved experience" for patients and their loved ones.
The hospital in Huntingdon is one of four in the East of England that is severely affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which has a limited lifespan.
RAAC has caused structural issues relating to the concrete panels used in the construction of some of the walls and roof.
"If you've been in our emergency department over the festive period, you'll know it gets busy and can get cramped," Deborah Lee, senior responsible officer for the Hinchingbrooke Hospital redevelopment, said.
"We're doing building works to make sure our hospital remains safe, and so when we're in our new hospital, (it will bring) an improved experience."
£54.8m award
Hinchingbrooke is one of seven hospitals in the UK that was built with RAAC.
The RAAC panels at the hospital were initially given a life expectancy of up to 2030.
But in a letter to Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty, health minister Karin Smyth said the hospital can stay open beyond this time following a report into the issue.
"Ongoing mitigation programmes, once complete, will reduce the risk of RAAC plank collapse in the majority of circumstances, protecting NHS staff and patients from the greatest risks," Ms Smyth wrote.
"Our top priority remains ensuring the safety of both the patients and staff of the seven RAAC hospitals, including Hinchingbrooke Hospital."
In her letter, Ms Smyth said it will provide £1.6 billion to NHS England's national RAAC programme to complete remediation works at all seven hospitals.
Ms Smyth also confirmed the Government will give £54.8 million to the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust - which runs Hinchingbrooke Hospital - to help with operating the site and tackling other areas, such as infrastructure issues for the next four years.
In response, Mr Obese-Jecty said he will "continue to keep pushing the Government for clarity around the delivery of the new hospital."
The hospital has been included in the Government's first wave of its New Hospital Programme, which prioritised the rebuild in order to make sure NHS patients and staff would be safe.
The new Hinchingbrooke Hospital will be built on the southern corner of the existing site, to make sure that all existing services can continue to be provided during the construction phase.
New staff accommodation is planned to be built, which will replace the existing facilities that are due to be demolished.
All beds inside the new hospital will be single rooms, including en-suite bathrooms and more space for visitors.
Existing RAAC buildings will not be knocked down until the new hospital has been built.
Ms Lee told us construction would start at the end of 2028, which could take around three to four years to complete.
During the demolition, some land on the current site could be freed up.
"We'd like to think we might develop it for services that have a relationship to healthcare, for example a research facility, so that's a real benefit," Ms Lee added.
"I've got no concerns that the RAAC buildings will become unsafe, the Government put forward a lot of funding for us to do remedial work.
"About 75% of our estate is affected by RAAC and 99% of that has been inspected."