MP urges government not to axe cancer hospital

Pippa Heylings has urged Labour not to pull the plug on a planned Cambridge cancer research hospital

A new Liberal Democrat MP has urged Labour not to pull the plug on a planned cancer research hospital.

Pippa Heylings, MP for South Cambridgeshire, said Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves had warned that a number of infrastructure projects were "at risk" because of a need to balance the books

But Ms Heylings says says a new cancer research hospital in Cambridge should be "protected".

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said the Labour government was "determined to be honest" about "what can be delivered".

'Discuss'

Ms Heylings said the Cambridge hospital should not be axed.

She said the people of Cambridgeshire were depending on the new hospital to provide "vital public services" for the region as it grew.

Local people could not "wait any longer” for "promised investment in cancer care", she added.

She said she hoped to discuss the issue with Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves says a number of infrastructure projects are at risk

“The Conservatives trashed our economy and left millions of people worse off, whether it was their incompetence and the total mismanagement of the Rwanda scheme or Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-budget, the Conservatives have left the new government with a massive job to do to get on top of the state of our public finances," said Ms Heylings, in a statement.

“Sadly, it now appears the Conservative promise on new hospitals was not worth the paper it was written on.

“And yet the Cambridge Cancer Hospital had the second stage of its business case, its Outline Business Case (OBC), approved by NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and HM Treasury in August 2023."

'Protect Funding'

She said a "full planning application" had also been made.

“My constituents have been crying out for this new hospital and this vital project must go ahead," said Ms Heylings

“That is why I look forward to taking up the chancellor’s offer of a meeting with the Health Secretary where I can relay the concerns of the people of South Cambridgeshire directly and to call on the government to protect funding for the hospital."

Pippa Heylings hopes to have discussions with Health Secretary Wes Streeting

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman told the BBC: “The previous government’s commitment to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 is undeliverable and unaffordable.

"The funding allocated by the previous government runs out in March.

“We must reset the new hospital programme to put it on a sustainable footing, following persistent delays and cost overruns.

“We are therefore launching a full review of the programme to provide a thorough, costed and realistic timeline for delivery and to ensure we can replace the crumbling hospital estate in England.

"This government is determined to be honest with people about what can be delivered, and not let them down again.”