Doncaster MP presents petition calling for Government to improve DRI
The Labour MP has called for urgent repairs to the crumbling hospital
A city MP has delivered a petition urging the Government to invest in crumbling Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
Sally Jameson, Labour Member of Parliament for Doncaster Central, has delivered a petition to the House of Commons to urge the government to fund repairs and refurbishment at the hospital.
Infrastructure in Doncaster Royal Infirmary’s West Block dates back to the 1930’s and the East Block to the 1960’s.
Ms Jameson said: “People in Doncaster deserve a hospital that is fit for the future and the needs of the growing population.
“The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and work with Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to prioritise the delivery of repairs and refurbishment at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.”
Ms Jameson, whose constituency includes the Doncaster Royal Infirmary site, has raised the need for investment in the hospital’s infrastructure a number of times since she was elected.
After holding meetings with the previous Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting, and holding a debate in the House of Commons on the issue, Ms Jameson launched her petition last year.
Speaking after handing the petition in, Ms Jameson said: “There is a long backlog of repairs and maintenance at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, which in 2023 was estimated to total £117m.
“The older buildings, while integral to the delivery of Doncaster Royal Infirmary’s services and workplace to hundreds of dedicated NHS staff, present significant challenges for maintenance, modernisation and performance of healthcare services.
“The Trust is working to address urgent issues and invest wisely in new buildings, however there must be a larger investment from government to ensure Doncaster has the healthcare infrastructure it needs.”
Doncaster’s bid for a new hospital under the previous government’s New Hospitals Programme was refused in 2023.
At that time, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust detailed that a refurbished East Block to resolve all critical infrastructure and backlog maintenance issues would cost upwards of £350m.