An independent spending watchdog has raised concerns about the slow progress and high costs of Britain's hospital building program, adding to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's challenges as he prepares for an expected election next year. The National Audit Office (NAO) reported that only 32 of the 40 hospitals promised by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson are on track for completion by the 2030 deadline.
NAO head Gareth Davies pointed out that the project's rollout has been slower than anticipated. The watchdog's report also highlighted concerns about value for money, noting that £1.15 billion (approximately $1.44 billion) had been spent by March 2023. This comes as Sunak has prioritized reducing hospital waiting lists.
The 2030 target for 40 new hospitals was a key pledge in Johnson's 2019 election campaign. However, the program has faced criticism, as some projects involve renovating existing facilities rather than building new ones. Furthermore, the NAO revealed that eight hospitals approved by the health ministry before Johnson's pledge were not initially intended to be part of the 40-hospital target but are now being included.
A health ministry spokesperson maintained the government's commitment to delivering all 40 hospitals by the end of the decade, including the eight previously unassociated projects. However, Meg Hillier, a Labour Party lawmaker and chair of parliament's public accounts committee, criticized the "woeful lack of progress" and accused the government of attempting to redefine the target to appear successful. Hillier expressed concern that patients and medical professionals will face longer-than-expected delays for the completion of new hospital facilities.
