Parts of a crumbling south London hospital may have to close after long promised redevelopment works were delayed, an MP has warned.
MP for Carshalton and Wallington, Bobby Dean, this week asked the Prime Minister about the state of St Helier hospital in Sutton, which has been due Government money for vital upgrades for almost two decades.
But the project has been repeatedly delayed and earlier this year the Government pushed back funding for the works until 2032-2034 following a review of the New Hospital Programme.
The facility, which opened in 1941, has recently reported having to knock down a ward because of sinking foundations and windows falling out.
Large parts of the site are in severe disrepair, with lifts often out of order and leaking ceilings forcing the temporary closure of wards.
About 600 operations had to be cancelled last year due to ventilation issues in theatres, the hospital has said.
It has warned that continued delays to improvement works could lead to the permanent closure of parts of the site.
Kevin Welch, former director of Facilities, Estates, and Supplies at St Helier, said: "I've seen a lot in 30 years working in the NHS, but the condition of the buildings at St Helier is among the worst.
“I’m seriously concerned about the risk of fire, particularly with the growing use of corridor care. But most of all, I’m worried about the safety of the patients."
Mr Dean said: “The plans to upgrade St Helier Hospital, including the delivery of a new specialist emergency care building, have been put back 10 years.
“I'm talking with the Trust about a way to bring all or part those plans forward, but in the meantime, there is a very real fear that some of the buildings on the existing estate are at risk of catastrophic failure before the decade is out.”
On Wednesday the Liberal Democrat MP asked the Prime Minister: “Can the Government reassure me they will work with the local trust on the plan to maintain and adapt the existing estate to ensure that St Helier Hospital can survive all the way through to the major works being complete?”
Sir Keir Starmer replied that he would make sure Mr Dean meets with ministers to discuss the issues at St Helier.
He added: “[Mr Dean’s] constituents have been badly let down by the previous government's empty promises, which were never going to deliver.
“We put the new hospitals program on a sustainable financial footing, increasing the NHS capital budget to record levels, so we can address the backlog of critical maintenance, repairs and upgrades.”
A spokesperson from Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We have spent £60million on repairs in the last five years alone, as we continue investing in our estate to provide safe care.
“We apologise to any patients who have not received the level of care they expected or have experienced long waits – our teams continue to do the best they can under huge pressure.”
