King's Lynn: New calls for crumbling QEH to be replaced

Three of the signatories, James Wild MP for North West Norfolk, Liz Truss MP for South West Norfolk, and Stuart Dark, leader of West Norfolk council, met with acting chief executive Alice Webster and deputy chief executive Laura Skaife-Knight at the QEH in King's Lynn to review the campaign.

In the letter to Steve Barclay, they welcome the government’s pledge to eradicate so-called RAAC planks from NHS buildings.

But they warn: "Experts have advised QEH that the hospital’s end of life is 2030 due to the RAAC. So now we need to see urgent action and confirmation that QEH will be one of the new hospital schemes."

Stuart Dark (l) Liz Truss and James Wild with a copy of the letter at the QEH (Image: Submitted)

The 500-bed QEH was not included in a list of 40 new builds announced by the government two years ago.

It now hopes to be one of eight further schemes due to be announced soon.

Plans for an £862m new hospital on what is currently the car park have been drawn up.

The hospital, which had an expected working life of 30 years when it opened in 1980 is still in operation more than four decades later and needs 3,000 props to prevent its roof from collapsing.

Mr Wild said:"The Health Secretary has rightly prioritised resolving the RAAC issues facing QEH. Now patients and staff need an urgent decision confirming the new hospital fit for the future that is so desperately needed. The time for waiting is over.”

Ms Truss added: “Everyone who uses, works or visits the Queen Elizabeth Hospital knows that the main building urgently needs replacing.

Today James Wild MP, myself and community leaders are calling for urgent action from the health secretary to commit to a new build hospital. This is vital for my constituents.”

Mr Dark said: "A modern, safe 21st Century hospital, capable of supporting patients, visitors and brilliant staff is something we all need and must have. ”