Liberal Democrats to force vote in Parliament on delays to Leeds General Infirmary

The Liberal Democrats will use their Opposition Day in Parliament today (Wednesday 23rd April) to force a vote on the government’s decision to delay the rebuilding of local hospitals including Leeds General Infirmary.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon said this was a chance to “hold the government’s feet to the fire” and put pressure on ministers to speed up the fixing of crumbling hospitals.

The Labour government announced in January that plans to rebuild 40 new hospitals under the New Hospitals Programme have been delayed, with some projects delayed by over a decade. The Liberal Democrat motion to be voted on in Parliament will call on the government to reverse the delay to the New Hospital Programme and create a crumbling hospitals taskforce to bring construction dates forward. It will also criticise the previous Conservative government for failing to have a realistic plan to fund the new hospitals.

The Leeds General Infirmary is a hub for people around Leeds, including in Harrogate and Knaresborough, to access care for rarer and more serious conditions that can’t be provided in smaller, local hospitals. The delay will affect millions of people in West and North Yorkshire. 

Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon said:

“For years patients in our community have had to put up with crumbling hospital buildings, after years of broken promises under the Conservatives. Now the Labour government has failed to deliver the change they promised and kicked the can down the road on fixing our local health services.

“I’ve heard from countless patients and staff who are really worried about the impact of these delays on local healthcare. No one should have to worry about crumbling roofs or dilapidated buildings when they are being cared for in hospitals.

“The Liberal Democrats will hold the government's feet to the fire on this and put pressure on them to speed up the rebuilding of local hospitals. It is critical that we upgrade our health services so people can finally access the care they deserve.”

ENDS