The government has given the green light for seven hospitals built using Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) – including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in King’s Lynn – to proceed with rebuilding plans. Due to safety concerns, these hospitals will be exempt from the Government’s review of the New Hospital Programme. The new hospital is expected to be ready for patients in 2030.
The crumbling concrete roof of the QEH in King’s Lynn has been a symbol of neglect and uncertainty for years. Built in 1980 using RAAC, the hospital was only meant to last 30 years. Now, more than 40 years later, the government has finally agreed to replace it, with plans to have a new state-of-the-art facility in place by 2030.
The QEH serves over 330,000 people in West and North Norfolk, Breckland, North Cambridgeshire, and South Lincolnshire. Over the years, its concrete roof has deteriorated to the point where staff have had to place buckets to catch rainwater leaking through the cracks. Alice Webster, CEO of the QEH NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted the significance of the new hospital, saying, “We know just how much The QEH means to the surrounding community and this announcement will be welcomed by all those connected with the hospital.”
The RAAC problem
The issues with RAAC-built hospitals, like QEH, are not new. In the 1970s and 1980s, RAAC was seen as a cost-effective solution for quick hospital construction. However, the material had a short life span and proved less durable than traditional concrete. RAAC panels can crack, and water can seep into the structure, leading to weakness over time. In fact, QEH currently relies on over 3,000 roof props scattered throughout the hospital to keep its roof from collapsing.
As local MP James Wild points out, the decision to replace the hospital “is very welcome news for patients and staff.” He noted that the community has been calling for action for years, and now that the government has agreed to move forward, the focus will be on making sure the project proceeds quickly and efficiently.
For years, the staff at QEH have worked in less-than-ideal conditions, dealing with the constant threat posed by the hospital’s failing infrastructure. During the height of the roof crisis, staff members shared their frustrations. One worker, speaking anonymously, admitted that the situation had become so dire that people had “become immune to the issue with the roof.” They were more focused on patient care than on the looming danger above them.
The risk was not limited to leaks. The hospital’s own risk register warned of the potential for “catastrophic failure of the roof structure,” making it clear that action was urgently needed. Additionally, the presence of asbestos added another layer of concern, further underscoring the necessity of a new building.
The campaign for change
MP Terry Jermy says it’s taken years of campaigning by local residents, staff, and trade unions, all of whom kept the spotlight on the hospital’s deteriorating condition. He praised the dedication of QEH employees, acknowledging the challenges they face. “Today’s news will be a relief for staff and patients and will give us the hospital we all deserve in West Norfolk.”
The new hospital will be constructed on-site in what is now the current car park, allowing services to continue uninterrupted during the build. As part of the project and in anticipation of getting the green light for the new build, the Trust secured planning approval for a new multi-storey car park, to allow for the construction. The car park will initially provide 500 spaces, with further expansions planned as the hospital takes shape. It’s expected to be completed by the end of 2025. This project is part of a broader effort to modernise the hospital’s infrastructure and ease the strain on parking, an issue that has plagued the site for years.
Chief Executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB, Tracey Bleakley, echoed the importance of this investment. She says the new hospital is just one piece of the puzzle, with broader plans to improve care across the region. “It’s essential that we also look at how we care for people and what we can do better.”
Hope for the future
While there is still a long road ahead, the government’s decision marks a significant turning point. After years of makeshift fixes and political wrangling, the people of West Norfolk – and beyond – will finally get the hospital they need and deserve. If all goes according to plan, the new QEH will be operational by 2030, ensuring that future generations benefit from a facility designed to meet modern healthcare standards.
For the staff and patients who have lived through the uncertainty of the crumbling RAAC roof, the promise of a new hospital is more than just a construction project – it is a symbol of hope and renewal. CEO Alice Webster emphasised: “The New QEH will feature modern construction methods and healthcare innovations to meet the needs of the local population for generations to come.”
The Trust will now work with the New Hospital Programme to ensure the project proceeds as quickly and as smoothly as possible. The QEH is one of four hospitals in the region to receive approval, the others being: West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, the James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth and Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon.
This article has been adapted from a press release by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
