Hinchingbrooke Hospital to be rebuilt – and new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is on track

Hinchingbrooke Hospital will be rebuilt by 2030 as part of the government’s £20billion New Hospital Programme.

It was also confirmed that plans for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital are proceeding as expected, in line with the Cambridge University Hospitals’ plans.

Hinchingbrooke, near Huntingdon, is in need of rebuilding as it is constructed primarily with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). This is a lightweight type of concrete used in the past on some NHS buildings that has a limited lifespan, at the end of which it deteriorates significantly.

Hinchingbrooke is one of five hospitals with significant amounts of RAAC that will be rebuilt after the NHS asked the government to prioritise them, due to the potential risks to patients and staff.

Announcing the programme, Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “These five hospitals are in pressing need of repair and are being prioritised so patients and staff can benefit from major new hospital buildings, equipped with the latest technology.

“On top of this, I’m strengthening our New Hospital Programme by today confirming that it is expected to represent more than £20billion of new investment in hospital infrastructure.

“As we approach the 75th anniversary of our fantastic NHS, this extra investment will ensure it can care for patients for decades to come and help cut waiting lists so they get the treatment they need quicker.”

Hinchingbrooke Hospital has 12,000 RAAC panels - 8,200 in its roof and 3,800 in its walls - covering 90 per cent of the hospital. It is using 16 props to support the building - down from 106 in March 2022 after £33.5million of capital investment in the building’s upkeep.

A programme to reinforce the roof is under way, and fail-safe works in areas including the labour ward and special care baby unit (SCBU) have been completed. SCBU had to move for nine months to Aspen ward while works were carried out, while attention has now turned to Bay Tree and Jasmine ward.

Caroline Walker, chief executive of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Hinchingbrooke Hospital, welcomed the funding for a rebuild of the hospital.

She said: “We are delighted with the announcement that the much-needed redevelopment of Hinchingbrooke has been included in the New Hospital Programme. This funding will be made available for the construction of a new hospital that will meet the needs of a fast-growing population for decades to come, subject to the normal business case process.

“This is fantastic news not only for our local communities regarding their future health services, but also for our staff, who have been working hard to deliver quality care from buildings that have not been up to standard for many years.

“We are already transforming our site with the construction of a new main theatres building, which is on track to receive its first patients by the end of 2023, alongside new pathology and pharmacy services that will go on the ground floor of the theatre complex. This will serve the needs of the new hospital when it is built. Now we look forward to progressing the plans for the new hospital with staff, local communities, and system partners.

“These are exciting times for everyone in our local community and we look forward to continuing to involve local stakeholders and our communities as we develop our plans for the Hinchingbrooke Hospital of 2030.”

The other hospitals with RAAC to be rebuilt are Airedale in West Yorkshire, Queen Elizabeth King’s Lynn in Norfolk, Mid Cheshire Leighton in Cheshire and Frimley Park in Surrey, while the rebuilding of two of the worst affected - West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds and James Paget Hospital in Norfolk - have been previously announced as part of the New Hospital Programme.

The government said the reprioritisation, and rising cost of construction materials, meant up to eight schemes that were originally due to be constructed towards the end of the decade will now be completed past 2030.

But with the five RAAC hospitals and three mental health hospitals from other capital funding due to be delivered by 2030, it said it was “on track to deliver the manifesto commitment to build 40 new hospitals in England by 2030”. Two are complete and five in construction, with 20 due to get under way or be completed by the end of next year.

The New Hospital Programme has been divided into four cohorts, with construction of those in the first cohort under way.

Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is in the second cohort. Plans for the hospital were submitted to the city council earlier this year.

Anthony Browne, Conservative MP for South Cambridgeshire, said: “Today’s announcement is good news for residents, Addenbrooke’s, the Biomedical Campus, and cancer sufferers across Cambridgeshire. That’s a good day’s work from our health secretary.

“We now have confirmation that the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is ready to proceed in line with plans from Cambridge University Hospitals Trust. This is exactly the kind of specialist service I want to see brought to our local community.

“As a brand-new facility, it could transform the hopes of those with cancer and dramatically improve our ability to understand and conquer many forms of this horrendous disease. I have made strong representations to the Secretary of State to see this project move forwards and I’m glad he has listened.

“I am also delighted to hear rebuilding work confirmed for Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon, that serves constituents to the east of my constituency. This government is keeping its promises to our residents, and I will continue to push for even more investment in South Cambs.”

Health minister Lord Markham said: “We are investing in new NHS facilities across the country giving patients the certainty they can access world-leading care in state-of-the-art hospitals, both now and in the years to come.

“In the immediate term, we’re focussing on quickly and safely rebuilding hospitals in areas which need it most – specifically those affected by this specific type of concrete, which poses a significant risk to patients and staff if not rebuilt by 2030 – with over £20 billion expected to be invested in new hospital infrastructure.

“In the long term, our new standardised design means we can rapidly replicate new hospitals across the country, helping speed up construction and improving services for patients faster.”

Natalie Forrest, senior responsible owner of the New Hospital Programme, added: “This is a significant milestone for the New Hospital Programme, as we continue to progress with delivering facilities for staff and patients at the cutting edge of modern technology with the experience of those who will use these hospitals at the heart of our focus.

“We’re continuing to build healthcare infrastructure that improves patient care – including modern designs, creating single rooms ensuring maximum natural light and access to outdoor spaces. This new design will reduce the workload of NHS staff through digital solutions, well designed flow and designated areas for staff recuperation.

“I look forward to continuing to work with all trusts already in the programme and welcoming the new ones into the New Hospital Programme.”