A DEMOLITION site in Leeds that was earmarked for one of Boris Johnson’s “40 new hospitals by 2030” is likely to stay as it is while Labour decides what to do about the then-prime minister’s “undeliverable and unaffordable” commitment.
Recalling how, in 2019, the New Hospital Programme (NHP) had been unveiled with great fanfare, Keep Our NHS Public (KONP) national chairman Dr John Puntis said: “When in 2019 Boris Johnson announced the building of 40 new hospitals by 2030, Leeds was one of the six so-called pathfinder projects expected to be in the first tranche.
“A site was prepared on the Leeds Infirmary estate, involving the demolition of old buildings.
“This was then surrounded by hoardings illustrated with pictures of the new Yorkshire children’s hospital and adult ambulatory care centre.
“Passers-by were invited to ‘come and see our new state-of-the-art hospitals’ and staff repeatedly assured that the £600 million project was going ahead.”
But Dr Puntis, a former Leeds paediatrician who also chairs Leeds KONP, said that the new hospital’s programme had been announced “in the absence of key decisions being made about funding and approach to construction.
“With time, it quickly became apparent that there was insufficient money committed for 40 hospitals to become a reality and that cheaper projects including upgrades to existing buildings could be categorised as a ‘new hospital’,” he said.
Protests were staged at the site demanding a start to work on construction the new children’s hospital.
But the Leeds demolition site remains untouched, making it another bleak legacy of the Tories’ 14 years in power.
“Perhaps leaving a future Labour government to deal with unfunded spending pledges was all part of the plan,” Dr Puntis suggested.
“The sorry state of affairs in Leeds has been played out nationally, with plans for major building upgrades indefinitely delayed and at the same time superimposed on a background of a record £11.6bn maintenance backlog.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The previous government’s commitment to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 is undeliverable and unaffordable.
“We are undertaking the review of the programme to provide a thorough, costed and realistic timeline for delivery and to ensure we can replace the crumbling hospital estate in England.
“This government is determined to be honest with people about what can be delivered.”
