Downham Market residents welcome news of a new King’s Lynn Queen Elizabeth Hospital by 2030

With funding secured for a new Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lynn and a build date expected to be by 2030, here is how shoppers in Downham reacted to the news.

Clive Ford is an accounts manager for RAF Marham and has lived in Downham since 2007.

He said: “I have been there (the hospital) a few times and seen the state of the place.

“My partner is a nurse up there. She is a sister in palliative care.

“The ministers have been up there and maybe we fell for the punchline of Brexit five or six years ago.

“The delay is disappointing and maybe it’s based on the state of the government.

“Obviously Covid didn’t help and the situation with Ukraine.

“But it is really positive and let’s hope it happens.

“It is long overdue.”

Paddy Peacock, 17, lives in Downham and he said: “That’s good, it is handy for people.

“My sister had a baby there so it is good for the area.

“Seven years is a long time until 2030 so that could be better but in the end it will be worth it.”

Emily Gerard, 31, lives in Stow Bridge and she said: “I think it is very good news.

“My grandmother was in hospital there not so long ago and was surrounded by props keeping the building up which didn’t help.

“But I think it’s brilliant news.”

Geoffrey and Caroline Mynott live in Downham.

Caroline said: “We think it’s brilliant that it got the funding at last and it is great that it will be modern.

“It is a long drawn out process like nurses’ pay and we do need the new hospital.

“Geoffrey went there for an MRI scan and in the corridors all the posts were holding it up.

“I am very pleased for them.”

Geoffrey said: “The building is going to make it better.

“It has got to be done but it has taken too long.”

Kenzie Ward, 17, lives in Outwell and he said: “It will be a good thing.

“It is needed.

“I had family members there before and it was not a good experience.

“2030 is alright but I thought it would be built sooner than that.”

James Moreton lives in Runcton Holme.

He said: “It is crazy how long it has gone on for but hopefully they will learn the lesson and spend some money on it.”

Downham town councillor Eve Tawfick said: “I am delighted to hear that the QEH is on the government's list for a rebuild, although the journey to get here could have been less arduous.

“Healthcare workers shouldn't have to campaign for so long in order to have safe working conditions, which are more of a right and less a luxury.

“The tireless efforts of campaigners have seen this become a reality.”