Further hospital delays a 'major blow' for NHS trusts, staff and patients

Responding to an announcement on a review of the New Hospital Programme, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"Today’s announcement will come as a major blow to trusts, their staff, patients, and communities, many of whom now face even longer delays getting desperately needed new hospitals.

"Hospital rebuilds are vital to transforming services, improving safety, and delivering better quality of care for patients after years of under-investment in the bricks and mortar of the NHS.

"Despite a hugely welcome cash injection in the recent budget and further boost today, the fact remains that too many NHS buildings and facilities are in a terrible condition right now.

"Trusts who are part of the New Hospital Programme account for more than 40% (£5.7bn) of the total bill for backlog repairs and maintenance. Today’s announcement will make a difficult situation even more challenging.

"Soaring costs, on-hold building projects and the growing bill for patching up crumbling sites and facilities has seen some trusts with already stretched budgets having to spend more than £1million a month because of delays. These costs will continue to mount as much-needed new buildings – delivering real value on investment - are delayed even further.

"Trust leaders absolutely understand the need to review hospital building plans and finances at a time when public finances are under huge strain. The government’s own spending watchdog said the New Hospital Programme had not achieved good value for money. This underlines the need to pursue new and different sources of investment to fund NHS infrastructure.

"While today’s announcement finally gives trusts some certainty and clarity over their long-awaited building projects, this is still a bitter pill to swallow.”