THE LIBERAL Democrats will use their Opposition Day in parliament this afternoon (Wednesday, April 23) to force a vote on the government’s decision to delay the rebuilding of local hospitals, including the Royal Berkshire Hospital, MPs have announced.
Wokingham Liberal Democrat MP Clive Jones said this was a chance to “hold the government’s feet to the fire” and put pressure on ministers to speed up the fixing of crumbling hospitals.
The government announced in January that plans to rebuild 40 new hospitals under the New Hospitals Programme have been delayed, with some projects delayed by over a decade.
The Liberal Democrat motion will call on the government to reverse the delay to the New Hospital Programme, and create a crumbling hospitals taskforce to bring construction dates forward.
It will also criticise the previous Conservative government for failing to have a realistic plan to fund the new hospitals.
Labour’s New Hospitals Programme has pushed the rebuild of Royal Berks back to 2037, with staff and patients having to work in a Victorian-era building with leaking roofs, faulty lifts and having to step around buckets to treat patients.
The state of the building will affect the treatment and experiences of those who rely on the Royal berks right across the region, particularly in Wokingham.
Clive Jones said: “For years patients in Wokingham have had to put up with crumbling hospital buildings, after years of broken promises under the Conservatives.
“Now the Labour government has failed to deliver the change they promised and kicked the can down the road on fixing our local health services.
“I’ve heard from countless patients and staff who are really worried about the impact of these delays on local healthcare.
“No one should have to worry about crumbling roofs or dilapidated buildings when they are being cared for in hospitals.
“I, and my Liberal Democrat colleagues, will hold the government to account on this and put pressure on them to speed up the rebuilding of local hospitals.
“It is critical that we upgrade our health services so people can finally access the care they deserve.”
