Image source, PA Media
Image caption, A “new” clinical institution has no longer been outlined as entirely a brand new construction
The Conservatives’ 2019 election pledge to assemble 40 new hospitals by 2030 faces a evaluate by the govt.s spending watchdog.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting asked for an investigation into delays surrounding the programme and warned of taxpayers’ money being wasted.
The National Audit Location of industrial (NAO) intends to habits a “fee for money evaluate” later this yr, its comptroller stated.
Mr Streeting accused the Tories of “overpromising and underdelivering”.
The 2019 Conservatives’ manifesto stated: “We are in a position to assemble and fund 40 new hospitals over the subsequent 10 years.”
Boris Johnson repeated this promise, and has spoken of “40 extra hospitals”.
Alternatively, a “new” clinical institution has no longer been outlined as entirely a brand new construction.
What is a brand new clinical institution?
In its media steering sent to NHS trusts closing yr, the Department of Health and Social Care stated a “new” clinical institution will also be outlined as:
A total new clinical institution on a brand new scheme or present NHS landA predominant new scientific constructing on an present scheme or a brand new soar of an present hospitalA predominant refurbishment and alteration of all however the constructing physique or predominant structure Labour MP Mr Streeting stated many NHS trusts are still anticipating funds to be allocated, and raised concerns that works commissioned be pleased been refurbishments or alterations, no longer “new hospitals”.
NAO comptroller Gareth Davies stated in a letter to Mr Streeting, first reported by the Observer: “I will verify that I already be pleased plans to birth out a fee for money evaluate of the Fresh Hospitals Programme later this yr and to document my findings during 2023.”
Mr Davies added: “I uncover your comments regarding the implications of extend for increasing bills at the present of excessive inflation and the topic of whether or no longer all initiatives in fact meet the classification of ‘new hospitals’.”
Image source, Getty Pictures
Responding to the investigation, Mr Streeting stated: “Essentially the most attention-grabbing quandary these ’40 new hospitals’ at demonstrate exist is in Boris Johnson’s creativeness.
“The election manifesto promise now looks to be one other example of the Conservatives overpromising and underdelivering.”
The BBC contacted NHS trusts and, of the 34 that answered, easiest 5 stated they be pleased been constructing an total new clinical institution. Twelve stated they be pleased been constructing new wings and 9 stated they be pleased been rebuilding present clinical institution constructions.
In its annual document closing yr, the Infrastructure and Tasks Authority (IPA) gave the total mission an “amber/crimson” ranking, that diagram its shipping “is in doubt with predominant risks or complications apparent in a quantity of key areas”.
In November, the Health Provider Journal reported that the IPA’s rating for the mission became later downgraded to “crimson”, that diagram it “looks to be unachievable”.