Lord Markham visits Basingstoke for New Hospital Programme

Lord Nick Markham, the Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, visited Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital as part of the Government's New Hospital Programme on Thursday, September 28.

The visit was to discuss the government’s plans to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 with staff, patients and local leaders. The programme is expected to be backed by over £20 billion of investment in hospital infrastructure.

In 2020, the government announced the New Hospital Programme (NHP) and committed to building 40 new hospitals by 2030. One of the areas confirmed for a new hospital was Basingstoke, but due to unforeseen delays, this is now not expected to be completed until at the earliest 2032.

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Lord Markham said: "This is due to us becoming aware, about a year ago, of a number of hospitals in England were discovered to have RAAC in the structures.

“If these hospitals were not built by 2030, the sites would need decommissioning which would have big impacts on the affected areas.

Lord Markham visited Basingstoke Hospital on Thursday, September 28 (Image: Sean Dillow)

“As Basingstoke and a number of other hospitals are not impacted by the same time critical nature, some hospitals in Cohort four will be delayed to allow for completion of the RAAC hospitals by 2030."

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Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight material that was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and 1990s. It is aerated, and less durable than normal concrete, with a lifespan of around 30 years.

However, it is susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture. The bubbles can allow water to enter the material. If that happens, any rebar reinforcing RAAC can also decay, rust and weaken.

Earlier this month, two buildings in Basingstoke were found to have the concrete: Cranbourne College and Westside Community Centre.

Lord Markham explained that the treasury had agreed to a five-year planning cycle for the new hospitals to be built, an increase from the existing three-year planning cycle. He added this has been done as a "long-term investment" into the NHS to ease planning process and delivery of the new hospitals.

Lord Markham said: "The new hospitals will be built in a modular way, with foundations and services installed ahead of time. This will speed up the construction process should the need be there for additions to be made to new hospital sites, putting the NHS in a better position going forward."

He added: "We are working closely with the team at Basingstoke to ensure all needs are met, and I'm delighted to be able to visit. Being able to do this is so valuable to better understand the situation going on in each respective area and makes it easier to communicate and work together to achieve the best end goal."

Maria Miller MP said: “Our Hospital Trust has worked incredibly hard to ensure its detailed business plan has been approved by the Treasury securing £900million ring-fenced funding, and is now continuing that approval and scrutiny through the extensive internal NHS approval processes which continue over the coming months.

"This is the largest infrastructure project in Basingstoke’s history and the new hospital will be serving our community for the next 70 years so its important to plan properly to get it right.

“We have a plan, we have a preferred site, and we have a great team of professionals leading the way. We’re ready to move forward to public consultation which is fully funded by the NHS. So, let's get it done."