Streamlined planning & info sharing key to quick QEH rebuild- Norfolk MP
The current estate, made of crumbling concrete, will be rebuilt by 2033- which is two years after the original deadline
An MP here says streamlining planning and sharing building experiences will speed up the delivery of a new Queen Elizabeth hospital.
The crumbling RAAC estate in King's Lynn will be fully replaced in six years time- under new Government plans.
"I want this year to be one of delivery"
James Wild represents North West Norfolk in Parliament
"I want to see all this happen before 2032 or 2033. The Government's committed to the £1.5 billion that the previous Government had put in place here
"So if we can go faster I've been assured by the Health Secretary that he doesn't have an issue with that. So, I'm working with the Trust to ensure that these plans move forward as quickly as possible.
"I want this year to be one of delivery where we get the multi-storey car-park work underway. That's due to get underway this month or next.
"Once that starts people will know that the hospital is coming and once it's completed it frees up the old carpark for more work to begin.
"We're seeing with other new facilities in the hospital, that they can make a real difference when it comes to treating more patients and the flow through the builds are a lot better.
"So we want to get to that position as soon as possible. I want that to be as close to 2030 as possible and I'll keep pushing for that to happen.
What's the Government said on this?
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:
“The New Hospital Programme on a stable long-term footing after inheriting a plan that was unfunded and undeliverable.
“We’ve confirmed a sustainable funding plan and an achievable timetable to deliver all schemes in the programme. We are now getting on with building these much-needed facilities as quickly as possible.
“We are backing the NHS with £1.6 billion across the next four years to safely remove and mitigate RAAC to protect patient and staff safety and deliver a health service fit for the future.”
On background
• The government’s published Plan for Implementation sets out a credible and affordable plan for delivery, and the associated costings of the revised schedule have been approved by HM Treasury
• An independent report in December 2025 found RAAC-affected NHP schemes could safely operate beyond 2030. Please see more here: RAAC strategic planning: assessment of the RAAC 7 hospitals - GOV.UK