Several hospital construction projects in England are facing significant delays, with some set to wait as long as 14 years before work begins, the government has confirmed. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has blamed the Conservatives' 2019 election pledge to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030 as "unaffordable," accusing the Tories of giving "false hope" to communities. Labour, which had already greenlit 21 projects in September, announced a further seven priority schemes this week but confirmed that 18 others would be delayed, with construction now unlikely to start until 2032 or later.

The hospital-building programme, initially promising 40 new facilities, has grown over time, adding to its complexity and cost. Labour’s priority list includes replacing older facilities built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac), a material raising safety concerns. While Labour has committed £15 billion over the next five years to fund the revised programme, critics, including Shadow Health Secretary Ed Argar, have accused the government of breaking promises and failing to prioritise the urgent need for new NHS buildings.

Delays have sparked frustration among NHS trusts and campaigners, who warn that further postponements could have serious consequences for patient care. Helen Morgan of the Liberal Democrats called the situation a "double betrayal," criticising both the Conservatives' initial promise and Labour's handling of the revised programme.

The government insists its revised timeline is "honest and deliverable," with construction on some projects starting by 2029. However, for many communities, delays stretching into the 2030s remain a bitter pill to swallow, raising concerns about the long-term impact on healthcare infrastructure and services.