Downham West Parish Council Pledge of Support
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust
Signed: Sara Porter
Name: Sara Porter
Position: Parish Clerk
Date Approved: 12th July 2021
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is at the heart of the community of North West Norfolk. While the building itself may be located just two miles from the centre of King’s Lynn, its reach is far wider, spanning some 1500km2 and covering 331,000 people.
Yet this vital place, which provides employment, education, volunteering as well as servicing our health care needs, was built to last only thirty years and, is over a decade past that sell by date.
Despite being held up by 198 acroprops, funding for a replacement building has to be bid for in a competitive process against 16 other trusts; only 8 of which will be successful.
This council recognises and applauds the amazing work done by all those at the QEH before, during and after the heat of the pandemic. But going to work in a building that is not fit for purpose should not be among their achievements.
The need for a new hospital bridges all political persuasions and the new leadership at the Borough Council provides the opportunity to demonstrate our joint commitment to do our utmost for the best results for our area crossing the political lines.
This council commits to working with all other organisations across the QEH catchment area to use our influence and offices to add weight to the case being made by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to obtain full funding for a new, replacement building and, for this funding agreement to be fasttracked and awarded before the Autumn Spending Review process. We call upon the Department of Health to prioritise the replacement of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn and treat it with the urgency it requires.
This council also commits to sending a delegation to meet the Secretary of State for Health to discuss the urgency of the matter with them personally and call upon him to visit the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and see for himself the parlous state of the estate.
To sign the Petition of support to prioritise funding for a new hospital for King’s Lynn & West Norfolk please follow this link
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/590390
A new hospital for King’s Lynn & West Norfolk should be prioritised for funding in forthcoming funding announcements, and support provided to fast-track its design and build, to ensure the area has a modern, fit-for-purpose hospital that meets the needs of patients, staff and visitors.
