EASTBOURNE will not see a redevelopment of the DGH for another 12 years after an announcement in the House of Commons snubbed the town’s hopes yesterday (Monday).
In 2020, the previous Conservative government pledged to rebuild Eastbourne District General Hospital as part of its commitment to construct 40 new hospitals by 2035.
However, Health Secretary Wes Streeting informed Parliament that the funding needed to fulfil this promise “simply wasn’t there.”
The government has committed £1.5bn-£2bn to rebuild and refurbish facilities at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust hospitals, but work is not expected to begin for another 12 years (2037).
Eastbourne’s MP Josh Babarinde has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to accelerate the release of critical funds to enable Eastbourne’s new hospital to be rebuilt sooner.
MP Josh Babarinde, who was born in the DGH, stated that the release of these funds is essential to bring forward plans for the much-needed new hospital in Eastbourne.
The Chancellor responded:: “While I recognise the importance of this issue… we have done the responsible thing and reviewed the unrealistic programme that we inherited from the previous government…this means that for some projects the timeline has had to be pushed back”.
East Sussex NHS Hospital Trust, who run the DGH, said in their Building for the Future report that: “the age and standard of current hospital buildings presents challenges for the consistent delivery of safe, effective, responsive and efficient care” and therefore needs investment.
Mr Babarinde said: “While our District General Hospital currently provides an outstanding level of care, it’s clear that it needs proper investment to take this to the next level. A 15-year wait is unacceptable on top of the years of broken promises about a new hospital from the Conservatives.
That’s why, today, I urged the Chancellor in the Commons to accelerate the building of Eastbourne’s New Hospital, and I will keep on fighting for what local patients need and deserve”.
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