Hospital can continue with rebuild despite review

West Suffolk Hospital will be able to continue with its work to replace the current building following a review U-turn

An MP said plans to rebuild a hospital were "absolutely ready to go" after the government announced the work would not be held up by a review.

In July the government said it would review the former Conservative government's plans to rebuild over 40 hospitals by 2030, including West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds.

However, on Friday the government revealed 21 of the 46 hospitals would no longer be under review and could proceed with plans, pending any outstanding funding approvals.

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust had already been on track to deliver its replacement hospital and can now once again proceed, which Labour MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, Peter Prinsley, described as "absolutely brilliant news".

He said: "It's absolutely brilliant news for Bury St Edmunds, the whole of the area, for the people who work so hard at the hospital to get this project ready to go.

"The site is chosen, the plans are very well advanced and we were just waiting for confirmation that the capital sum to do this was forthcoming.

"It does sound very much we can be really optimistic about that," he added.

West Suffolk MP, Nick Timothy, added the news was "a relief to everybody".

He said: "I know this has been a source of anxiety for many residents, so the announcement is good news.

"West Suffolk Hospital has been there for my family when we needed it and I am delighted that it will continue to serve others in the years and decades ahead."

Peter Prinsley MP previously said not reconstructing West Suffolk Hospital was "not an option"

Secretary of state for health and social Care, Wes Streeting, told Parliament in July he believed the new hospital programme was "not deliverable" by 2030.

Later that month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a review into the scheme to tackle what she said was a £22bn hole in the country's finances.

Mr Prinsley said "it was a worry" when the news was announced.

"My very specific question for both the prime minister and health secretary was whether they realise the difficulties that these particular hospitals have and that really they ought to be excluded from the general review," he said.

"They were quick to agree with this when they understood what the problem was - I don't think this was new information for them but I did think prompting them when we had the opportunity to ask questions did help."

Plans for the new hospital include therapeutic gardens and parking

According to the Department for Health and Social Care, hospitals now not under review include those with approved full business cases for their main construction phase and seven hospitals that are wholly, or mostly, constructed from Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete).

“We are reassessing the rest of the programme to ensure every scheme has clear evidence of how it will be funded alongside a realistic timeline for delivery," Mr Streeting said on Friday.

"This, alongside the fundamental reforms that will be introduced in our 10-year plan, will ensure we build an NHS that is fit for the future," he added.