Tories say 40 new hospitals will not be built by 2030

The UK health secretary has admitted the government will not build 40 new hospitals by 2030, as long promised, but said the projects involved “a range of things” including new wings and refurbishments.

Steve Barclay insisted this did not break the Conservatives’ manifesto promise for 40 new hospitals and also argued that the public were not concerned about the distinction as long as the facilities they used were new.

The debate over the accuracy of the government’s hospitalbuilding pledge was resurrected last week when Barclay told MPs that eight of the 40 “new hospitals” would be delayed into the next decade.

The change to the programme involved some of the 40 originally listed being replaced by schemes to refurbish or replace hospitals built with a type of concrete that is well past its expected 30-year lifespan, with roofs and ceilings at risk of falling down.