New Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, Steve Darling, has called for Torbay Hospital to be prioritised following the Chancellor’s statement to the House of Commons on the dire financial situation facing the country.
In the statement, Reeves announced that a number of infrastructure projects were at risk of being cut to balance the books after years of Conservative economic mismanagement, and revealed a review into the funding of plans to deliver 40 new hospitals. Torbay Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling has urged the government to prioritise Torbay Hospital, highlighting the critical need for its upgrade.
Steve Darling emphasised that his constituents “cannot wait any longer” for the previously promised investment in Torbay Hospital, warning that without it, the people of Torbay would continue to suffer from poor quality facilities. He looks forward to taking up the Chancellor’s offer of a meeting with the Health Secretary for MPs whose constituencies are affected by changes to the scheme. In that meeting, Steve plans to voice his and his constituents’ concerns about any withdrawal of funding and the severe consequences this may have on local people.
Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, Steve Darling said:
“We must be clear. The Conservative party’s economic vandalism decimated the public finances, left our services in tatters, and stretched household budgets to breaking point.
“Sadly, it now appears the Conservative promise on new hospitals was not worth the paper it was written on.
“My constituents have been crying out for the upgrade Torbay Hospital so desperately needs. This vital project must go ahead. The situation at Torbay Hospital is critical, with 80% of the hospital estate being of poor or bad quality, sewage leaks in the main tower block, and concrete deterioration similar to RAAC in parts of the estate dating from the 1960s.
“That is why I’ve written to the Chancellor and look forward to taking up the offer of a meeting with the Health Secretary. I champion the concerns of the people of Torbay directly and call on the government to protect funding for Torbay Hospital.
“My constituents cannot wait any longer for this desperately needed investment in our area and for our local health services to get back on their feet after years of decline under the Conservatives.”
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