The cost of repairing 18 crumbling NHS hospitals is set to surge to £5.7 billion as reconstruction delays push essential upgrades into the 2030s, a new analysis warns. Originally promised as part of Boris Johnson’s “40 new hospitals by 2030” initiative, these long-awaited rebuilds have been postponed, leaving critical infrastructure at risk of collapse.
Soaring Costs Due to Delays
The Liberal Democrats’ analysis shows that deferring construction to 2030 and beyond will cause maintenance costs to rise significantly—from £2.1 billion today to £5.7 billion by the time construction finally begins. This is based on an average annual cost increase of 10.45%, which has been observed since the original pledge was made.
Some of the most affected hospitals include:
• St Mary’s Hospital, London, which is at risk of structural failure before reconstruction begins.
• Nottingham’s two acute hospitals, which are among seven hospitals not due for rebuilding until 2037—meaning their current £722 million repair bill could balloon to £2.38 billion.
• Torbay Hospital, Devon, where sewage leaks, water damage, and crumbling concrete pose ongoing safety risks despite a £1 million annual maintenance budget.
Hospitals at Risk of Collapse
The NHS Confederation has warned that some of these hospitals are now “outright dangerous” for staff and patients. Delayed renovations mean hospitals continue to deteriorate, leading to higher costs and increased risks.
Siva Anandaciva, head of policy at the King’s Fund, criticized the delays, stating:
“The government’s cost-cutting now could prove a false economy, as millions will be wasted on keeping sub-standard hospitals operational instead of replacing them.”
Political Fallout and NHS Crisis
Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, recently revised the New Hospital Programme timeline, postponing several projects due to budget constraints. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from hospital executives, local MPs, and healthcare analysts, who argue that communities have been misled about when they would receive new hospital facilities.
Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, condemned the government’s approach, saying:
“Communities are forced to endure outdated, unfit hospital buildings for years longer than promised. This is a national disgrace.”
The Department of Health and Social Care defended the government’s stance, stating that the New Hospital Programme had been placed on a “credible and sustainable footing” to ensure all projects are completed. Officials also highlighted a £13.6 billion NHS capital investment next year—the highest since 2010.
However, critics argue that continued delays, crumbling infrastructure, and rising costs indicate that the government’s plans are failing to meet the urgent needs of the NHS.
