Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn receives £3m to mitigate safety risks
Lynn’s hospital has received nearly £3million in funding to improve safety at the crumbling site before a rebuild.
The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed to North West Norfolk MP James Wild that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been granted the cash from the Estates Safety Fund.
In a letter, the Health Minister confirmed this funding is to mitigate infrastructure and safety risks.
It has been allocated for improvements to medical gas systems, electrical systems, lift upgrades or replacements, and fire safety works. It is in addition to significant funding that is provided specifically to manage reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) issues.
The QEH is believed to be the most propped-up hospital in the country. In the past few years, there have been worries that it has “more steel props than beds”.
“This is welcome funding to help address safety issues for staff and patients at the QEH in addition to specific RAAC funding,” Mr Wild said.
“The sooner we get on with the new QEH the better as it will deliver cutting edge facilities rather than spending on the existing buildings.
“The QEH’s plans continue to progress well and I am working closely with them including to get approval for the key multi-storey car park.”
The rebuild of the QEH is not expected to begin until 2027 at the earliest, resulting in a completion date around 2032.
Previous estimates said the end of the current site’s lifetime would be 2030, at which point it would become dangerously unsafe.
Terry Jermy, the MP for South West Norfolk, described the new funding as “vital”.
“My number one priority when becoming the MP for South West Norfolk was health and social care, so I am naturally delighted by this latest news,” he said.
“It is great not just for patients but also the staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital who deserve a high-quality building to support the provision of high-quality services.
“This latest announcement follows the recent confirmation of funding for the Bridge Street GP surgery in Downham which will increase capacity to allow more appointments.”
