Sighs of relief have been breathed after the fates of two crumbling hospitals were finally sealed.

Doubts had been cast over projects to replace the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in King's Lynn and the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston in recent weeks.

These came after the new Labour government announced a review of the new hospital programme, which its Conservative predecessors promised would deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030.

Further doubt was cast after health minister Karin Smyth branded the scheme "unachievable".

But now, the government has confirmed that the review of the scheme will not apply to either the QEH or the Paget due to the prevalence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in their buildings.

It means that the schemes to replace both hospitals - which are fast approaching the end of their shelf lives and have props holding up their ceilings - will go ahead as planned.

Health secretary Wes Streeting (Image: London Portrait Photoqrapher-DAVID WOOLFALL)

Health secretary Wes Streeting said; "We inherited a new hospital programme that is undeliverable and unfunded. 

"Patient safety is our priority, so RAAC-affected hospitals, along with those where the full business case is already approved, will not form part of the review and will continue as planned."

The news will come as a huge relief to hospital bosses, who were anxiously awaiting to learn the fate of the rebuilds.

South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Image: QEH)

Labour MP Terry Jermy, for South West Norfolk, said: "Today's news will be a relief for staff and patients and will give us the hospital we all deserve in west Norfolk.

"I am delighted the new Labour government has recognised the scale of the challenge and made more money available, despite the poor state of our public finances."

James Wild  (Image: Newsquest)

Tory MP James Wild, who represents North West Norfolk, added: "It is very welcome news for patients and NHS that the government has listened to concerns about the QEH and finally agreed this scheme will proceed at pace so we have the new hospital we need."