MP for Wokingham, Clive Jones, has given RBH staff and patients a voice with the government, and demanded answers on the rebuild delay.
Last week in parliament, Clive Jones hosted a discussion with Royal Berks staff and patients to share their experiences of the hospital, before meeting with the minister for secondary care, where the impact of the delay to the hospital rebuild was discussed.
Attending the discussion and ministerial meeting were members of the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Trust leadership, including chief strategy officer Andrew Statham, staff, and patients of the hospital, allowing them to share their experiences of the Royal Berks.
Karin Smyth MP committed to meeting Clive and Royal Berks staff and patients after Jones asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer about delays to the rebuild during prime minister’s questions in January.
The meeting with the minister was necessary for the voices of those who are most affected by delay to be heard directly, and to demand answers on why the rebuild was yet again delayed.
There is a clear need for Royal Berks to be rebuilt. Parts of the building date from 1839, 95% of the lifts in the hospital are beyond their end of life, and operations are regularly cancelled.
Estate issues contributed to an average of 27 patients waiting over 12 hours for A&E treatment every day during December 2024.
He noted how the Royal Berks’ disrepair has been exacerbated by the Conservative government’s false promise to rebuild the hospital by 2030, since when major investment has been constrained.
He added that the Labour government’s decision to delay the rebuild start to 2037, which they attribute to their appalling financial inheritance from the Conservatives, makes this situation much worse.
The postponement of the rebuild is a false economy, with more than £400 million needed just to address current issues and more cost inevitable for each year of delay.
As well as delivering the modern working conditions that staff and patients deserve, it would save the taxpayer money to rebuild the Royal Berks as soon as possible,
After the meeting, Clive Jones, the MP for Wokingham, said: “I was pleased to meet again with RBH leaders, staff and patients on this critical issue.
“The need for an early rebuild of the hospital is clearer than ever.
“It was really important for the minister to hear first-hand of the delay’s impact, and for the minister to explain to them why the government chose to delay the rebuild.
“I will continue to stand up for staff and patients of the Royal Berks, and will keep fighting for the rebuild and the resources it needs until this is delivered.”
