Hinchingbrooke Hospital

11 Feb

Question

The Question session in the House of Commons concerning Hinchingbrooke Hospital centered on the hospital’s future amidst structural concerns related to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Ben Obese-Jecty, representing the Huntingdon constituency, initiated the session by querying whether necessary steps would be taken to repair the hospital before the RAAC material reaches its end of life in 2030.

Karin Smyth responded by affirming Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s inclusion in the new hospital program’s first wave. She assured that over £44 million has been allocated for RAAC mitigation safety works. To address concerns about structural safety and program timelines, Smyth mentioned a site-by-site survey commissioned by the Secretary of State to assess RAAC hospitals’ risk levels and guide development plans.

£44 million

Funding allocated for RAAC mitigation at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

Ben Obese-Jecty pressed for assurance that the new hospital program, including Hinchingbrooke, would adhere to schedules and questioned if a risk assessment ensuring extended safety of RAAC-built structures beyond 2030 would be available. Smyth corroborated the significance of site surveys, which would be released by summer, to ensure structural safety and informed planning.

2030

Proposed deadline for the completion of the new hospital program and the lifespan of current RAAC structures.

A political element emerged when Josh Fenton-Glynn underscored alleged longstanding neglect by former Conservative representatives, suggesting broader NHS rebuilding commitments are better suited under a Labour Government, an assertion Karin Smyth endorsed by stressing her government’s dedication to the new hospital program and NHS advancement.

The session steered towards holding the government accountable for infrastructure commitments and highlighted political positioning regarding healthcare management approaches.

Outcome

The session reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the new hospital program while bringing to light timelines and safety measures concerning Hinchingbrooke Hospital's RAAC materials. There was no immediate alteration in policy but a promise of a decisive review by summer.

Key Contributions

Ben Obese-Jecty

Conservative

Raised concerns about the safety and scheduled repairs of Hinchingbrooke Hospital due to RAAC structures' lifespans ending by 2030.

Karin Smyth

Confirmed Hinchingbrooke's inclusion in the new hospital program's wave one.

Josh Fenton-Glynn

Labour

Criticized former Tory representation for neglecting RAAC issues at Hinchingbrooke.

Karin Smyth

Endorsed Fenton-Glynn’s critique of past governmental negligence.

Original Transcript

Ben Obese-Jecty

Huntingdon

Con

Question

UIN: 902680

4. If he will take steps to repair Hinchingbrooke hospital before buildings containing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete reach the end of their lifespan in 2030.

The Minister for Secondary Care

Karin Smyth

As I am sure the hon. Member knows, Hinchingbrooke hospital is in wave 1 of the new hospital programme, and his constituents can now look forward to a new hospital under this Labour Government. The hospital has received over £44 million to deliver RAAC mitigation safety works, and my right hon.

Friend the Secretary of State has commissioned a site-by-site survey of RAAC hospitals, which will ensure that individual development plans address the highest-risk elements as soon as possible.

Ben Obese-Jecty

Last July, Deborah Lee, the senior responsible officer for the Hinchingbrooke hospital redevelopment programme, stated that the deadline for the new hospital was 2030.

In a written answer to me last year, the Minister confirmed that, even after the mitigation measures of failsafe steelwork, the lifespan of the remaining RAAC buildings would run only until approximately 2030.

Can the Secretary of State confirm that the rebuild, and all waves of the new hospital programme, will not be delayed by the review of building safety regulations guidance announced by the Deputy Prime Minister in December?

Will he assure my constituents that the RAAC buildings at Hinchingbrooke will be safe to use beyond 2030, and if so, will he publish the risk assessment that he has conducted to confirm that?

Karin Smyth

The hon. Gentleman has outlined the shocking state of some hospitals. I confirm again that we want a site-by-site report of those hospitals for exactly that purpose: to ensure that they are safe and to understand any critical issues before the schemes go forward. We expect that report in the summer.

Josh Fenton-Glynn

Calder Valley

Lab

Given that the Tory predecessor of the hon.

Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) failed to mention RAAC once, and mentioned Hinchingbrooke hospital only five times in 23 years, does the Minister agree that people in Huntingdon and across the country need a Labour Government committed to rebuilding the NHS, not a Tory Government who pay lip service but fail to back it up?

Karin Smyth

11:49

I commend my hon. Friend on his research into the previous Government, and for the hard work that he is doing on behalf of his constituents.

We are committed to the rebuild of Hinchingbrooke and have put the new hospital programme on a sustainable footing, which is something that his constituents can look forward to.

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