Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn a ‘priority’, says health secretary

December 31, 2024

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Health secretary Stephen Barclay said the government recognised there was a “pressing need” at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn

BBC Stephen Barclay outside the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital — Health secretary Stephen Barclay said the government recognised there was a “pressing need” at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn

A hospital that has a roof supported by 1,500 props is a “priority”, the health secretary said.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, has steel and wooden posts in 56 areas to support its ageing roof.

Stephen Barclay said the government recognised there was a “specific issue” to address the problems there.

QEH was opened in 1980 and was one of seven hospitals built using a material called reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

This material has serious weaknesses and is deteriorating, with uncertainty over its structural integrity leading to more than £100m being spent this financial year on safety measures across the affected sites.

The roof of the hospital is being supported by wooden and steel props

Shaun Whitmore/BBC Wooden props supporting a roof — The roof of the hospital is being supported by wooden and steel props

Buckets are also being used to catch rainfall

Jo Rust A bucket catches rainfall in hospital corridor at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn — Buckets are also being used to catch rainfall

Mr Barclay, the Conservative MP for North East Cambridgeshire said on a visit to Norfolk on Thursday: “King’s Lynn is a priority, it’s one of five hospitals with RAAC where we recognise there is a pressing need.”

The trust is waiting to hear if it will be one of those eight across England chosen to get a new hospital.