Fixing Crumbling Hospitals Must Be a Priority

When you or a loved one needs hospital care, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether the building is safe. But across the country, we’re seeing the consequences of years of underinvestment in our NHS buildings—and nowhere is that clearer than at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Despite being one of the 40 hospitals promised funding under the previous Government’s so-called “new hospitals” programme, the much-needed rebuild of the Royal Berks has faced delay after delay. This week, there was a Liberal Democrat motion urging the Government to speed up delivery—not just for Royal Berkshire, but for all the hospital projects still waiting for progress. Sadly, this was not passed.

Shockingly, just 6.5% of the £13.8 billion needed to clear the repair backlog in our NHS estates was invested last year. That’s not just neglect—it’s a false economy. Because the longer we wait to upgrade these buildings, the more expensive and disruptive the problems become. This is about safety, dignity, and ensuring that staff can do their jobs in the best possible environment.

But this isn’t just about one hospital. Here in Newbury, West Berkshire Community Hospital is doing brilliant work in incredibly tough circumstances. It plays a vital role in supporting Royal Berks, easing pressure on A&E and providing essential outpatient and diagnostic services closer to home. I’m continuing to make the case that we must strengthen services here too. With the right investment, West Berkshire Community Hospital could take even more strain off Royal Berkshire—something that would benefit everyone.

The state of our health infrastructure is a national issue, but it’s felt most acutely at a local level. That’s why I will continue pushing for progress—on the Royal Berks rebuild, on improvements at West Berkshire Community Hospital, and on the broader NHS funding we desperately need.