Mixed reactions by MPs on hospitals' revamp plans

North Devon MP Ian Roome said he was disappointed his local hospital would not be upgraded quickly

Devon's MPs have had mixed reactions to a government announcement on plans to rebuild and refurbish hospitals.

A host of hospital building projects in England are being delayed with some having to wait up to 14 years before work starts, the government says.

As part of the national works, Derriford Hospital in Plymouth is to proceed with constructing a new emergency care building, replacing its current emergency department (A&E).

However, the new timetable set out by the government promises construction to start from 2032 at Torbay Hospital and from 2035 at North Devon District Hospital.

'Utterly dismayed'

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the original plans - which formed part of a 2019 election promise by the Conservatives for 40 new hospitals by 2030 - were not affordable, "unfunded and undeliverable", and the new plans were for "an honest, funded, and deliverable programme to rebuild our NHS".

Liberal Democrat MP for North Devon Ian Roome said he was disappointed his local hospital would not be amongst the first to be upgraded.

He said: "My constituency was let down by the previous [Conservative] government and will be utterly dismayed to find that the remotest hospital in England has been passed over again for essential repairs beyond 2035.

"Does his [Streeting's] department understand that if critical care and operating facilities begin to fail within the next five years as expected, there's no alternative critical care for patients for over 40 miles?"

Fred Thomas MP said he was "glad" that building a new A&E was to go ahead at Derriford Hospital

Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said was "so glad" that Streeting had "listened" about local concerns and had visited Derriford.

Thomas said: "He saw the pressure we're under, he's listened and I'm so glad that he's announced we're going to get, what I've been asking for, a new A&E here at Derriford Hospital."

The MP for Torbay, Steve Darling, said he was "disappointed" at the decision to delay rebuilding works at Torbay Hospital.

He said: "I am deeply disappointed that we have been kicked into the long grass.

"We are running at 98% bed occupancy. That means that we're overheating and people are being treated in the wrong places.

"We desperately need the investment."