Hope remains for new Doncaster hospital despite Government overlooking town on £3.7 billion re-builds list

The boss of Doncaster Royal Infirmary remains hopeful the town could get a new hospital – despite the Government leaving it off a list of new projects.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed 40 hospitals will be built by 2030 as part of a package worth £3.7 billion, but overlooked Doncaster, 10 months after health secretary Matt Hancock admitted there was a strong case for a new Doncaster hospital during a visit in January.

The DRI is now hoping it may make a list of a further eight schemes invited to bid for future funding.

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Doncaster Royal Infirmary. DRI. (Picture: CHRIS BULL HospitalD3707CB)Doncaster Royal Infirmary. DRI. (Picture: CHRIS BULL HospitalD3707CB)
Doncaster Royal Infirmary. DRI. (Picture: CHRIS BULL HospitalD3707CB)
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Richard Parker OBE, chief executive at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “As one of the largest single applications for NHS capital funding, unfortunately our Doncaster Royal Infirmary replacement scheme wasn’t announced as part of the Government’s most recent funding shortlist. However, we remain hopeful and, working closely with our partners in the region, we will continue to push for the people of Doncaster and Bassetlaw as part of proposals for eight new and elite hospitals.

“Our colleagues at Doncaster Royal Infirmary do an outstanding job 365 days a year, however, this is within a hospital setting which is beginning to show its age. Given that the majority of the site was built in the 1930s and 60s, with the demands of these decades in mind, our maintenance costs are significant and this dated infrastructure constrains future developments.

“We remain optimistic that we will be able to realise our ambition of building an outstanding new facility in the future and will continue to develop our case so we are in the best position possible to move forward if we are able to get the greenlight.”

Mr Hancock visited the DRI on January 10, meeting senior staff and nurses.

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He told the Free Press in an interview the case for a new hospital had been made incredibly strongly. He said at the time: “I’ve looked round the hospital and seen that it is ageing, and that there are some parts dating back to the 1930s. There is a strong case to be made.”

MPs Ed Miliband and Dame Rosie Winterton MP and Mayor Jones issued a joint statement today accusing the Government of empty promises, saying: "We are deeply disappointed that Doncaster is not on the list of new hospitals just announced.”

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