Revamped New Hospital Programme

The UK Government has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering all hospital projects in the revamped New Hospital Programme (NHP), setting out a realistic timeline backed by properly costed funding.

A realistic plan for NHS Transformation

After a comprehensive review, the government has introduced a credible plan to ensure hospital staff and patients gain access to modern, fit-for-purpose facilities nationwide. The previous iteration of the programme, promising “40 new hospitals by 2030,” was deemed unfunded and unachievable, with major delays and budgetary issues highlighted in the Infrastructure Projects Authority’s (IPA) annual report.

The revamped NHP is supported by £15Bn of new investment, spread across five-year waves averaging £3Bn annually, offering a sustainable funding model to deliver the projects.

Health Secretary’s commitment to rebuilding the NHS

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting outlined the government’s dedication to a robust and transparent programme: “The New Hospital Programme we inherited was unfunded and undeliverable. Not a single new hospital was built in the past five years, and there was no credible funding plan for the future. Today, we are setting out an honest, funded, and deliverable programme to rebuild our NHS and restore trust in government.”

Streeting also emphasized the urgent need to address years of underinvestment, citing Lord Darzi’s findings of £37Bn capital underfunding in the 2010s, which left many hospitals with severe infrastructure issues such as leaking roofs and inadequate facilities.

Revised delivery timeline

The revamped NHP divides hospital projects into waves to ensure a structured approach:

• Wave 1 (2025-2030): High-priority projects, particularly hospitals with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), addressing urgent safety concerns.
• Wave 2 (2030-2035): Intermediate priority projects, starting after Wave 1 completions.
• Wave 3 (2035-2039): Long-term projects with preparatory work commencing in earlier years.

Early-stage construction and development will begin for later waves to ensure readiness for main construction phases.

Industry Collaboration and Innovation

The NHP will work closely with the construction industry to streamline processes, integrate new technologies, and enhance hospital designs for both patients and staff. Morag Stuart, Chief Programme Officer for the NHP, stated: “This announcement provides clarity on the next steps. We remain committed to working with local NHS organizations to modernise hospitals, improve layouts, and leverage technology to meet the evolving needs of healthcare delivery.”

Complementary Investments

In addition to the NHP, over £1Bn has been allocated to address the existing backlog of critical maintenance and upgrades, while £102M has been earmarked for GP surgery improvements.

Building an NHS Fit for the Future

The revised New Hospital Programme aligns with the government’s broader Plan for Change to transform the NHS estate, reduce waiting times, and ensure long-term sustainability. This renewed approach offers contractors and suppliers a clear pipeline of opportunities while addressing the healthcare needs of communities across England.

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