New QEH

James campaigned successfully in Parliament with strong local support to get a commitment to a new QEH by 2030 by the then Conservative government.

During the general election campaign, James warned a Labour government would put a new QEH at risk. Despite the promises they made at the time that is precisely what happened when shortly after taking office they put in doubt the new hospitals programme. Thankfully, in response to pressure the government has now recognised we must have a new hospital.

Securing a new QEH has been James' priority as the MP for North West Norfolk. For over three and a half years he campaigned in Parliament raising QEH it in his first speech, he argued in countless questions, debates, meetings, ministerial visits, and media interviews for QEH to be added to the new hospitals programme.

It was fantastic news in May 2023 when the Conservative government announced QEH was now one of the new hospitals it has committed to building by 2030. This major investment  will mean a hospital fit for the future which staff and patients across West Norfolk and beyond deserve. To be a priority project in the £20 billion new hospitals programme was a huge vote of confidence in North West Norfolk.

Now the new Labour government has ended the damaging uncertainty it caused and is following the Conservative plans for a new QEH. Plans are now moving ahead and we can look forward to investment worth hundreds of millions of pounds in new health facilities. This success was only possible with strong support from the local community, QEH, MPs, and councils.

Scroll down to see the latest news on this campaign. 

QEH is 41 years old having been built to last only 30. The roof has major structural issues and 4394 steel and timber safety props are supporting it. Rather than patch it up, James has campaigned for a new QEH to deliver better healthcare for patients, staff, and visitors. He worked with the hospital trust, other MPs, and local constituents to make the compelling case to the government. Now that has been secured he is working to deliver the new hospital by 2030.

The case for a new hospital

QEH serves 330,000 people across Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire. 

QEH was one of a number of "Best Buy" hospital and this year marks over 40 years of a hospital only built to last 30 years. As with other “Best Buy” hospitals, including James Paget University hospital and West Suffolk, it urgently needs modernisation due to major structural issues with concrete planks known as Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) planks in the roof. Nearly 80% of QEH’s estate was constructed using RAAC planks. Currently there are thousands of timber and steel props around the hospital supporting the roof. As well as the roof, the design and layout of the buildings do not meet current clinical pathways or requirements.

Following the temporary closure of the critical care unit in March 2021 due to concerns about the roof, James convened an urgent meeting with the Health Minister and QEH's Chairman and Chief Executive to review the short term issues and to make the case for a new hospital. Following the meeting the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) confirmed £20.6 million of funding to deal with the most immediate short term issues with a new outpatient unit set to open in January 2022, along with a new Endoscopy Unit and other improvements. 

The government has committed to a further eight new hospital schemes by 2030 and QEH has submitted expressions of interest for a single phase full new build hospital able to meet the current and future demand. In May 2023 the Prime Minister and Health Secretary announced QEH was being added to the New Hospitals Programme as a priority project  

Latest updates

September 2024

James Wild MP welcomes announcement that QEH is exempt from the New Hospital Programme review and the project will proceed at pace given safety issues.

In a letter to James Wild MP regarding the review of the New Hospitals Programme the Health Secretary has said that central to the review is recognition “the hospitals built primarily from Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) need to be replaced as a priority, to protect patient and staff safety.” He has announced that as a result the seven critical hospitals – including QEH - with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) will be out of scope of the review and “will proceed at pace due to the substantive safety risks associated with these.” These schemes were previously prioritised by the last Conservative government.

February 2024

James Wild MP reviews progress on plans for new QEH

James met QEH’s Chairman and Chief Executive to review progress on plans for the new hospital and it is encouraging work on the temporary helipad has begun as this is a key enabling project for building the multi-storey car park. Work on business cases and identifying the utilities improvements needed for the new hospital continue. Everyone is focused on delivering the scheme on time and I was assured plans remain on track for 2030, as was also set out at the public board meeting, and James will continue working closely with the Trust to ensure relevant approvals are secured. 

James also met Lord Markham, the minister leading the new hospitals programme and underlined the need to continue to progress the scheme and he also confirmed national Hospital 2.0 designs will be launched in May allowing QEH to develop its plans further.”

August 2023

James Wild MP welcomed Lord Markham, Health Minister to QEH as part of next steps for new hospital

Lord Markham, the Health Minister leading the new hospitals programme and his team of officials joined James and QEH staff and patient groups for a day long visit to talk about the new Hospital 2.0 concept, answer questions, and listen to feedback and ideas on the plans. 

The next step is to unlock the funding for the mutli-storey car park which is a key enabling project for the new hospital and freeing up the existing car park where the new hospital will be located.

May 2023

James Wild MP welcomes “momentous” government commitment to build new QEH hospital

In setting out a new approach to the New Hospitals programme, the Health Secretary Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP confirmed the government has accepted the compelling case for QEH to be part of the New Hospitals Programme due to major structural issues caused by concrete planks known as Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the buildings. Nearly 80% of QEH’s estate was constructed using RAAC and experts advise the buildings have an end of life of 2030. The commitment today means there will be a new hospital built in time to replace it.

QEH will be added to the largest hospital building programme in generations.  The Health Secretary confirmed that over £50 billion has been allocated to the programme. Schemes will be based on the “Hospital 2.0” design approach using Modern Methods of Construction to deliver schemes more efficiently, quickly, and at better value for money.

Further details can be found here: https://www.jameswild.org.uk/news/james-wild-mp-welcomes-momentous-government-commitment-build-new-qeh-hospital

March 2023

James Wild MP calls for decision on “RAAC ravaged QEH” as soon as possible

In response to James question at a recent Treasury Questions, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP, commented that "conversations have developed" and an announcement would come "imminently" in regards to the 'New Hospitals Building Programme'. James continues to press for a new QEH, further details of QEH campaigns can be found in 'news'. 

James Wild MP continues to press for a new QEH 

Through recent months, James has continued to meet with ministers, including the Secretary of State for Health, local MPs whose constituents use QEH and Borough Council leader, Stuart Dark to push the case for a new QEH. James continues to use his platform in Parliament, whether in debates, meetings or Parliamentary questions to demonstrate why a new Queen Elizabeth Hospital is so important for North West Norfolk. 

November 2022 

Local MPs and council leaders urge Health Secretary to confirm that the QEH will be one of the government’s new hospitals

In the letter, they welcome the Health Secretary’s recognition of the huge concerns about RAAC issues, the need for urgent attention, and his commitment to deliver the government’s pledge to eradicating RAAC from the NHS. Rt Hon Steve Barclay’s comments follow his visit to QEH in July with the MP for North West Norfolk, James Wild, to talk to the Trust leadership, staff, and patients and see the 3,000 timber and steel props firsthand.

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 were at QEH again to demonstrate their commitment to a new hospital. They met with Acting Chief Executive Alice Webster, and Deputy Chief Executive, Laura Skaife-Knight to review the campaign.

In response to the Autumn Statement, James welcomed the Chancellor's commitment to the new hospitals programme and pressed him to make urgent decisions on building a new QEH.

James said: "I welcome the Chancellor's commitment in his statement to the new hospitals programme and given the Health Secretary's commitment yesterday to deal with the concrete cancer which means that the Queen Elizabeth hospital in my constituency has three thousand props holding up its roof, will he reassure people in North West Norfolk that the government will make urgent decisions to build a new QEH?"

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, replied saying: "I visited the QEH and I absolutely understand the concerns that my Hon Fried is talking about We do commit today that we will protect the new hospitals programme and we do want to spend very important money in our capital programme in the NHS.

At a Public Accounts Committee hearing, James pressed the Chief Executive of the NHS and the Department of Health's most senior official on the need for a decision to confirm QEH as one of the new hospital schemes.

In response, it was confirmed that prioritising dealing with RAAC issues was a priority with decisions on the new hospitals programme later this year. James pointed out they were due in the spring.

October 2022

James Wild MP for North West Norfolk secured a meeting with the new Health Minister leading on the new hospitals programme.

Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Minister of State for Health, met James within a few weeks of his appointment to review QEH’s bid to be one of the new hospital schemes. 

September 2022

MPs call on the Prime Minister to ensure that the Department of Health and Social Care includes QEH as one of the government’s new hospital schemes.

August 2022

Health Secretary Steve Barclay confirmed that "QEH is a priority" and that it is "one of five RAAC hospitals where we recognise there is a pressing need."

His comments during a BBC interview follow a visit to QEH with James a few weeks ago. Since the Health Secretary’s visit, James has been speaking with Steve and Health Minister Maria Caulfield about issues at QEH including the closure of operating theatres recently. The ministers met with the Treasury yesterday to discuss the new hospitals programme and QEH, and other RAAC hospitals.

July 2022 

New Health Secretary Steve Barclay MP comes to QEH

A week after his appointment, the new Health Secretary joined James at QEH to see for himself the issues with the safety props and supports. He spoke to staff and patients about the impact of the props and recognised the compelling case QEH has to be one of the new hospital schemes.

James meets Health Secretary on QEH's bid to be one of new hospital schemes

James met with Rt Hon Sajid Javid, Health Secretary to press the case for a new hospital. He highlighted the 1500 props across the hospital and the impact on patients and staff.  The Health Secretary acknowledged the powerful case and the need to deal with RAAC. James relayed the frustration that he and constituents feel at delays in decisions and urged the government to make a decision as soon as possible. 

June 2022 - Health Minister, Ed Argar MP, who leads on the new hospitals programme visits the QEH 

The Minister joined James and the Trust senior team to see some of the 1,528 steel and timber support props which are now in 56 areas of the hospital. The minister spoke to patients in the Necton Ward and staff about the impact the props are having on their recovery and working environment.

June 2022 - In the House of Commons James called on ministers to back a new QEH

During Health Questions James called on ministers to back QEH's bid to be one of the new hospital schemes and in response the Health Secretary agreed to meet to discuss QEH's expression of interest for a single-phase new build.

James urges Health Secretary to back QEH new hospital bid

In response to a statement by the Health Secretary on leadership in the NHS, James praised the QEH team for taking the hospital out of special measures and said that to continue to improve care required a new hospital.

May 2022 - Health Minister, Ed Argar MP, visits QEH to see props and talk to patients and staff

The Health minister joined James at QEH to see firsthand some of the 1,528 steel and timber support props which are now in 56 areas of the hospital. The minister spoke to patients in the Necton Ward and staff about the impact the props are having on their recovery and working environment.

May 2022 - Health Secretary acknowledges “very powerful” case for investment in QEH

During the Queen’s Speech debate on making Britain the best place to grow up and to grow old, Rt Hon Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care acknowledged the “very powerful” case for investment in QEH made by North West Norfolk MP James Wild.

In his speech, James highlighted that there are now 1500 timber and steel roof supports in place to manage the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete planks issues. He stressed the poor patient experience and impact on staff of being in wards with props supporting the roof. 

QEH’s new £3 million West Norfolk Eye Centre opens

The new centre will provide a dedicated Ophthalmology outpatient facility for the first time which will provide a bigger specialist facility for patients while freeing up space for other specialities in the main building.

Every year around 34,000 outpatient eye appointments and 7,000 eye procedures are carried out for glaucoma, cataracts, retina conditions, child eye conditions and other procedures. An extra 2,000 appointments and 2,000 more intravitreal (IVT) injection procedures (eye injections to treat a variety of retinal conditions) annually.

April 2022 - QEH leaves special measures

James welcomed the news that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has formally left 'Special Measures' following successful Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections in December 2021 and January 2022, which saw the Trust rated ‘Good’ in three core areas

James said: “Coming out of special measures is a welcome step that reflects that hard work and commitment of QEH staff to deliver better care. The task now is to sustain those improvements and deliver further changes as the campaign continues to modernise the hospital to offer a better experience for patients, their families, and staff.”  .

March 2021 - James leads debate in Parliament urging government to back case for new QEH hospital

James used a debate in the House of Commons to highlight significant improvements in patient care at QEH and to urge the government to back QEH’s compelling case to be selected as one of the new hospital schemes the government is committed to building.

He expressed the frustration of the people of North West Norfolk and beyond served by the hospital at the delay in decisions on the short-list and then selection of the final 8 schemes.

December 2021 - Progress on Modernisation of QEH with £20.6 million funding

James visited the hospital to see progress on improvements being made as part of the £20.6 million  capital investment to enhance the facilities and experience for patients, their families, and staff. They include:

• New Emerson outpatient unit -  this is on track to open in January 2022 following £20.6 million of capital investment to further enhance the for patients and staff. It will bring together a number of outpatient services, including Urology, Pain Service, Rheumatology, Gynaecology, Antenatal Care, Obstetric Ultrasound and a Day Assessment Unit for pregnant women.
• £12.5 million state of art Endoscopy Unit to open in Spring 2022 - groundworks are already underway on this important development. This new unit will modernise facilities for patients and QEH staff and create decant space needed to enable QEH to make space for movement of wards and work to install failsafe roof supports where necessary to deal with the concrete plank issues. 
• Funding announced for a new £3 million West Norfolk Eye Centre - QEH has received funding via the national Targeted Investment Fund to create new West Norfolk Eye Centre enabling QEH to offer an additional 2,000 appointments and undertake 2,000 more intravitreal (IVT) injection procedures each year.

QEH awarded £12 million to support response to Covid and winter pressures

QEH has been awarded £12 million Government funding to support its response to the pandemic. The award is the largest given to a Trust in the East of England and follows the submission of bids to further increase capacity at the hospital in response to the pandemic and support our response this winter. The projects that have been awarded funding include :  

• Creation of a virtual ward – enabling patients who meet certain clinical standards to continue their recovery at home whilst being carefully monitored remotely by clinicians. Patients will be contacted by phone or videocall as part of a virtual ‘ward’ round. This will enable clinicians to remotely care for patients including monitoring their pulse, temperature, and blood pressure safely and effectively. The project is being piloted for four months and is expected to drive a shift to support safe monitored discharge and improve patient experience.
• Expanding Emergency Department – plans to refurbish and expand the Emergency Department to improve the working environment for staff and enable more patients to be seen more quickly. The Emergency Department sees more than 70,000 patients each year – 40,000 more a year than it was designed for back in 1980.
• Increasing the Sandringham Unit’s theatre capacity – staffing levels will be increased at the two Sandringham Unit theatres to enable them to run at full capacity and maintain the delivery of the elective programme seven days a week. This will enable an additional 100 patients to be treated each week

November 2021 - James makes case for new hospital to the Prime Minister

During Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons James called on the Prime Minister to include the QEH as one of the eight new hospital schemes and highlighted how the project supports the government’s objectives to build back better, to build back greener, and to level up and would benefit people in Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire.

September 2021 - QEH submits Expressions of Interest for the new hospital programme

QEH Trust has submitted two expressions of interest to the new hospital programme: one for a single-phase full new build and another for a multi-phase development.

A single-phase full new build will be able to meet the current and future demands of an increasing population in areas with significant housing growth planned. It would eliminate RAAC by 2030. The plans would deliver integrated care covering primary, community, mental health, acute, social care and third sectors. By applying the lessons learned from Covid, it will drive efficiencies and improvements to standards of care. Whilst a multi-phase development would provide a scalable option that still delivers some of the benefits and would be a vast improvement on the current estate, a single-phase new build would cost less and deliver greater benefits. 

The Trust’s Expressions of Interest have been reviewed by the NHS regionally and a decision is expected in early 2022 by the Department of Health and Social Care.on whether QEH has been selected to go through to the next stage of the assessment process. A final decision on the further eight new hospital schemes is expected in Spring 2022.

July 2021 -  Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched the selection process for the next 8 new hospitals 

The DHSC is inviting expressions of interests by September from NHS trusts in England who wish to be considered for inclusion in this next wave of the programme, identifying a further 8 new hospitals to deliver on the government's commitment to fund and build a total of 40 new hospitals by 2030. Together with 8 pre-existing schemes which have been included in the national programme, these 48 hospitals represent the biggest hospital building programme in a generation.

This is the first of a 2-stage selection process, starting with an ‘expression of interest’ phase which is open to all trusts. It will be followed by a more detailed process for long-listed schemes later in the year. The government aims to make a final decision in spring 2022. This process will also inform the ongoing pipeline of investment through this programme, subject to future funding settlements.

The government is committed to an open and robust selection process, which supports its ambitions to Build Back Better, including a focus on safety issues which was confirmed in Parliament in response to James raising the prop issues at QEH, through:

• better outcomes for people and smarter use of infrastructure – how the scheme supports the NHS Long Term plan aims, for example joined up, person centred and high-quality clinical care. This might include a brief description of the clinical and service model case for change and/or how the scheme would support service delivery and benefit the local population
• stronger and greener NHS buildings – how the scheme would support modern fit for purpose and efficient use of estates and increase service resilience. For instance, you might wish to describe how the scheme will address estates quality or safety issues (for example backlog maintenance, specifically critical infrastructure risk and impact on services), support COVID-19 recovery (for example ensuring greater flexibility and productivity in the use of space) improve efficiency of the estate and/or support net-zero carbon/ sustainability objectives
• fairer and more efficient use of resource – how would this scheme enable more efficient, levelled-up investment and support the local community. This might include how the scheme would support wider health and care service models (for example supporting services to be delivered through primary and community settings and/or better join up amongst services); and how this makes efficient use of assets and land. This could also include a description of any savings you foresee from investing in this way

June 2021 - James and MPs representing Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire have urged new Health Secretary to include QEH on new hospital programme

• Following Matt Hancock's resignation, seven MPs whose constituents use QEH have written to Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP to highlight the serious structural issues with more than 200 roof supports in place, including acrow props and timber supporting structures.
• While welcoming the recognition of the seriousness of the situation that has led to £20.6 million of capital funding for this year, they say that “simply propping up the roof does not represent value for money.” Rather, they set out the compelling case for QEH to be one of the new schemes and “to use the opportunity to transform the hospital to provide meet modern healthcare requirements and demand for future growth, to improve clinical deliver healthier outcomes in an area of deprivation, and harness digital technology to improve patient, staff, and visitor experience.”
• The MPs also highlight the “very strong local support for a hospital fit for the future. Thousands of people have signed a petition in support, the local borough and county councils are backing the case, as are key local institutions including the College of West Anglia where the new School of Nursing Studies in partnership with QEH opens early next year.”

june 2021 - Health Secretary visited QEH

• Matt Hancock accepted James' invitation and came to QEH see for himself the structural roof issues and he agreed that there needs to be a long term solution for the hospital.
• Matt Hancock met with senior leaders including the Chairman of the Trust, Professor Steve Barnett, and the Chief Executive, Caroline Shaw CBE and was updated on the progress QEH has made in delivering improved patient care as it continues on its journey of improvement. He was briefed on the proactive work the Trust is doing to improve the safety of the hospital following the welcome £20.6 million of capital investment for this year.
• During the visit Matt Hancock said:

"The hospital here is seriously in need of improvement. It is pretty significant when you go into a ward and there are wooden struts up holding the roof up. Now they are there to keep it safe and the team and the structural engineers assure me that is safe. But it clearly a short term solution not a long term solution.Clearly we need to sort this problem. I wanted to come and see it for myself. James Wild has been campaigning to make sure we get the long-term solution We're investing in the NHS. We've put in place the short-term action needed to keep this hospital safe. Let's work together on a long-term solution."

May 2021 - James urges government to make QEH one of the 8 new hospital schemes

• During the health debate on the Queen's Speech, James made the case for QEH to be selected as one of the additional 8 schemes as part of the new hospitals programme. He spoke about the need for urgent modernisation due to major structural issues with concrete planks in the roof and highlighted that there are currently 194 props in over 40 areas of the hospital.
• While welcoming the £20 million of new funding this year to deal with the most immediate issues, he said that the need was greater than propping up the roof. Rather than spend £550 million over the next decade to manage the risk, James praised QEH's plans to transform the hospital to meet modern healthcare requirements, deliver healthier lives, harness innovation and technology at better value for money.
• He set out the strong support from patients, staff, the local community, council leaders, and the expected increased demand as a result of housing growth. He urged the government to back the bid and to deliver the hospital that patients and staff deserve.

March 2021 - QEH granted £20.6 million of new funding to help manage short term fixes and improvement to the roof and other areas

• Funding from the Department of Health and Social Care was confirmed during the meeting James organised with Edward Argar MP, Health Minister, and QEH's Chairman and Chief Executive. During the meeting, James and QEH set out the urgent issues facing the hospital with 131 props holding up the roof across many parts of the hospital. This new funding will help manage the short term issues. However, the position with the roof will continue to deteriorate and James highlighted that QEH estimates it will cost £554 million over the next decade to manage the risks associated with the existing roof and structural concrete plank issue. In contrast, he pointed out that a new build has an estimated cost of £679 million. 

James said: "I know many people have been very concerned at the reports of props securing part of the roof in wards at QEH. When we met the minister he confirmed £20 million this year to help manage roof issues and I welcome this significant new capital funding. However, these issues will continue to deteriorate and we need a new hospital or substantial rebuild. I will continue to work with the Trust to develop the business case and to campaign for QEH to be one of the additional new hospitals the government has committed to."

February 2020 - Ministers encourage QEH to continue to develop the case for a new hospital 

• Replying to letters from James Wild MP promoting the case for a new hospital, Health and Treasury ministers welcomed the fact that the QEH is working on plans and endorsed the focus on Modern Methods of Construction where construction takes place off site to reduce the length of the build, delivering a more cost effective approach.
• In his response to James’s letter, Edward Argar MP, Minister of State for Health underlined the importance of developing plans and working with the NHS on priorities: “Health Trusts seeking new facilities should continue developing their plans and priorities for local NHS infrastructure. They should also discuss their proposals with NHS England and NHS Improvement to help consider the priority of their schemes and whether they should be further developed at this time. The ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ approach that you set out is certainly along the lines that we wish to see our hospital building programme develop.”
• Rt Hon Steve Barclay, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: “I was pleased to note that the Trust have been engaging with the Department of Health and Social Care on their plans and are working up a Strategic Outline Case for consideration. As the Prime Minister announced on 2 October 2020, a further 8 schemes will be invited to bid for future funding to deliver new hospitals by 2030. I would encourage the Trust to continue developing their plans and engaging with DHSC, as they will be responsible for assessing all bids before further funding decisions are made. “

December 2020 

Prime Minister’s Questions - James asked for investment in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital 

• James highlighted that cracks in the physiotherapy gym roof had led to its closure and asked that given the Prime Minister’s enthusiasm for building hospitals he would back the bid for a new hospital for QEH. The Prime Minister confirmed that the bid process for the remaining eight hospitals was being designed and that the Department of Health and Social Care is working with QEH.  As these schemes will be delivered in the second half of the decade, the competition process will be announced in due course.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found improvements at the QEH following an inspection although more work is needed to ensure patients receive the care they should be able to expect.

• In July 2019, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital was rated ‘Inadequate’ by the CQC following an unannounced inspection. This resulted in the Trust remaining in ‘special measures’ following its entry in 2018. Following the 2019 CQC report there were 206 ‘must do’ and ‘should do’ actions. As a result, the Trust embarked on a programme of improvement to complete all actions set out by the CQC, which remains ongoing.

  In line with the CQC inspection regime, the CQC returned to the Trust in September 2020 for two unannounced inspections of six core services. The CQC did not carry out a full inspection due to COVID-19 restrictions. This means that while the individual services that the CQC re-inspected have seen a change in ratings, the overall Trust rating will remain as ‘Inadequate’. However, the Trust is hopeful that in 2021 the CQC will return to complete a full inspection, resulting in a positive rating change that reflects the hard work of staff.

QEH was granted £1.5 million to fund five maintained projects as part of a wider £600 million investment in NHS hospitals  

November 2020

James presses case for QEH investment with the Chancellor 

• During the Chancellor's statement on the 2020 Spending Review, James welcomed the focus on the NHS and infrastructure and raised the importance of investing in QEH. James asked the Chancellor to consider carefully QEH's compelling bid to be one of the additional eight hospitals by 2030 that the government has committed to on top of the 40 which had funding confirmed in the Spending Review.

James joins with other MPs to make the case for QEH to be one of the new 8 hospitals

• Following October's disappointing announcement, James wrote to the Health Secretary and Chwith the support of 7 MPs across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire whose constituents use QEH urging ministers to include QEH as one of the additional eight new hospitals to be delivered by 2030. 

October 2020 - Strong disappointment as QEH misses out on new hospital list

• In October, the government announced a list of 40 new hospitals and James was disappointed that QEH was not been added to the list announced in the previous phases of the health infrastructure programme. At the same time, the government announced plans to build a further 8 additional hospitals in addition to the 40 by 2030. QEH has put forward a strong case for investment.

September 2020 - Funding for new School of Nursing secured

• In September, £597,000 of capital funding was announced for a School of Nursing at the College of West Anglia. This was a bid James championed and asked the Prime Minister to support. It will create high quality training opportunities for West Norfolk with the college delivering Level 5 (foundation degree equivalent) Associate Nursing Apprenticeship which will allow the QEH to recruit more nursing staff locally.

August 2020 - QEH received an additional £1.9 million

• This additional funding was provided to support A&E capacity, put enhanced infection prevention and control measures in place, and make improvements to emergency care and urgent treatment services

July 2020 - James calls for QEH to be included in the Health Infrastructure Plan for new hospitals

• James pressed the Prime Minister on the case for including the QEH in the government's health infrastructure plan and said that this would be well deserved recognition for the dedication all the staff have shown through the Covid-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister noted the £9 million of capital funding had been provided last year and said further measures were under active consideration.

June 2020 - New 5 year strategy for QEH to become the best District General hospital

• The strategy focuses on three main areas: Quality; Engagement; and Healthy Lives and setting out their ambitions for the near future. 

January 2020

James uses Maiden Speech to call for new capital investment in QEH

• James used his first speech as a MP to point out that this year marks the 40th anniversary of QEH but it was built with a life expectancy of 30 years, and its age is showing. He said he spied an opportunity not just to fix the roof, but to do more and called on ministers to consider carefully proposals from the trust for capital investment

James chooses QEH for his first official visit as a MP

• James' first official visit as a MP was to QEH and spent time with doctors, nurses, and vital support staff including the infection control team, security staff and others. The passion of staff who are proud of improvements they have delivered for their patients comes across clearly as does their desire to continue delivering better care. During the Covid-19 pandemic, QEH staff have shown incredible dedication in dealing with an unprecedented health crisis.

James will continue to press for investment into QEH to secure improvements that staff, patients, and the local community deserve.