Statement in response to New Hospital Programme review announcement
21 Jan 2025
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is deeply disappointed following the outcome of New Hospital Programme review announced on Monday confirmed that North Devon District Hospital will now not see building work start until between 2035 and 2039.
Sam Higginson, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are deeply disappointed for the communities of North Devon, our patients and staff that the critical nature of North Devon District Hospital and the need for urgent investment has not been fully recognised in the review into the New Hospital Programme.
“We have spoken publicly about the risks in our ability to continue to deliver health and care services which meet both our current and future needs. As the most remote hospital in mainland England, investing in our hospital services is vital to ensure we can continue caring for our local population for years to come.
“These further delays mean that we will need to assess the full details of this review rapidly and seek routes to funding to mitigate the most severe risks to our theatres and intensive care unit between now and 2035. We will, of course continue to work with the Government and NHP on longer term plans that deliver fit for the future healthcare to the North Devon population.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-deliver-all-schemes-in-new-hospital-programme
