Andrew Stephenson MP welcomes Airedale Hospital being rebuilt, to help improve health care for people in West Craven
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In 2019, the Conservative Government promised to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 – and the Government is on track to deliver on this promise.
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In addition to the 40 new hospitals, the Conservative Government has announced that five additional hospitals in urgent need of reconstruction will be rebuilt, delivering better health care for patients across the country and ensuring our NHS is fit for the future.
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This announcement will help to deliver on the Prime Minister’s promise to cut NHS waiting lists, as the Conservative Government works to deliver on all five of its promises: halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.
MP for Pendle Andrew Stephenson CBE has welcomed the Conservative Government’s announcement that Airedale Hospital will be rebuilt, benefitting people across West Craven and beyond, as part of urgent works to upgrade NHS sites across the country.
Airedale Hospital was initially built using a material called reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (‘RAAC’) and – while this has material has allowed the hospital to serve patients for a number of decades – new research indicates that this material needs to be replaced.
That Conservative Government has announced that Airedale is one of five major hospitals across the country that will be rebuilt, as part of works to ensure hospitals are fit for the future.
Airedale serves patients across West Yorkshire including West Craven and other parts of East Lancashire. The five major hospitals announced today provide 5 per cent of all secondary care services provided in England.
The announcement builds on the Conservative Government’s commitment to build 40 new hospitals by 2030, backed by an expected over £20 billion.
Over half of the hospitals are expected to be complete or underway over the next two years – including the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Cornwall, Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, and Shotley Bridge Community Hospital in County Durham.
Commenting, Mr Stephenson said: “Everyday, Airedale Hospital provides vital support to patients across much of Pendle. I know just how vital this site is to helping local residents get the care they need and that’s why I’ve been part of the three year campaign that’s led to today’s announcement.
“I am delighted the Conservative Government has committed to rebuilding Airedale Hospital, meaning local resident in and near to West Craven will benefit from a brand new hospital – in addition to the 40 new hospitals that the Conservative Government is building across England.
“Alongside the significant investments I’ve helped to secure for Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals, this major investment into Airedale will ensure all patients across Pendle get the care they need while making our hospitals fit for the future while helping to cut waiting lists.”
Commenting, Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “As a RAAC hospital, Airedale’s infrastructure was identified as high-risk, and the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust bid to join the New Hospital Programme.
Today’s announcement delivers on the government’s commitment to address RAAC issues in our hospitals."
