The party wants a brand new hospital to replace crumbling DRI

Reform UK has demanded a brand new hospital for Doncaster - blasting a Labour MPs petition to the Government for repairs, calling her plea a “patch-up job.”

Doncaster Central MP Sally Jameson has presented a petition calling on the Government to prioritise urgent repairs to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

But Reform have said they will push for a brand new hospital - which was rejected under the last Conservative government.

A Doncaster party spokesperson said: “Repairs are not enough – Doncaster needs a new hospital.

City of Doncaster councillor David Carroll (Bessacarr) said: “We in Reform agree with Sally Jameson that Doncaster Royal Infirmary urgently needs investment.

“But repairs alone are not enough.

“Doncaster deserves a brand-new hospital that is fit for the future.

“Governments of all colours have recognised the poor condition of the estate, but none has yet delivered the new hospital our city needs.

“Reform UK will continue to campaign for the long-term investment that patients and NHS staff deserve.

“Doncaster doesn’t just need another round of patch-up jobs. We need a brand-new hospital.

“”Labour should stop settling for repairs and start fighting to deliver the new hospital our city was promised.

“Doncaster has outgrown its ageing hospital. Our residents deserve modern healthcare facilities that are fit for the future, and Reform UK will continue to press for the investment needed to make that happen.

“Rest assured that a Doncaster Reform UK MP will be pushing for a new hospital not a patch up like this Labour MP is calling for.”

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.