Local MPs and council leaders have written to the Health Secretary saying the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn must be one of the soon-to-be-announced new hospital builds announced by the Government.
Three of the signatories, James Wild MP for North West Norfolk, Liz Truss MP for South West Norfolk, and Councillor Stuart Dark, Leader of the Borough Council have visited the site to meet with Acting Chief Executive Alice Webster, and Deputy Chief Executive, Laura Skaife-Knight.
In the letter, they welcome the Health Secretary’s Steve Barclays’ concerns about the building’s structure and the need for something urgent to happen.
It follows the case for a new site raised in meeting with Prime Ministers, and in Parliament, and strong local support from 12,500 local people as well as backing from councils.
Commenting on the letter, James Wild MP said: “Over the last three years I have been campaigning with the backing of other MPs, local councillors, and strong community support for a new QEH hospital. 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.”
Rt Hon Liz Truss MP for South West Norfolk said: ““Everyone who uses, works or visits the Queen Elizabeth Hospital knows that the main building urgently needs replacing. Last week I visited the hospital and met the team doing their utmost in difficult circumstances. Today James Wild MP, I 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.”
Stuart Dark MBE, Leader of the Borough Council said: “I and the Borough Council have been in lockstep with the QEH hospital’s Senior Leadership Team and our MPs throughout. We have been supporting and magnifying the bid and key messages and highlighting the dire need for a new hospital and the strength of community concern and support to decision makers at key stages. This has included the Borough’s face to face lobbying of relevant Ministers and Secretaries of State, formal letters, initiation and support of the petition which gained such wonderful community backing and bringing in influential partners like Norfolk County Council and others to the cause. A modern, safe 21st century hospital, capable of supporting patients, visitors and brilliant staff is something we all need and must have. ”
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