Norfolk MP talks investment in other Norfolk priorities

Jerome Mayhew, MP for Broadland, was speaking after last week's news that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn has been added to the government's new hospitals programme.

While Mr Mayhew is delighted with this news, he wants to continue working for more.

“We also need to argue the case for investment in our other local priorities – delivering the funding for the Western Link Road; a dental school at the University of East Anglia; the dualling of the A47; and investment in rural connectivity," he said.

Jerome Mayhew, MP for Broadland (Image: David Holbrook)

“I will keep on working to deliver these important projects for residents in Broadland..”

Senior managers said the new QEH  would take a number of years to go through the planning process and the earliest they expected it to be open was 2029.

Plans for an £862m replacement hospital have been drawn up. It will be built on what is currently the QEH's main car park, with work set to begin this summer.

Mr Mayhew added: “This will hugely improve patient care, quality and outcomes as well as support the wider healthcare sector in Norfolk.

“This has been a hard-fought campaign over the last few years.

Staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital celebrate the news it will be replaced (Image: Chris Bishop)

"Alongside James Wild MP, I have been working to make the case with the Department for Health and Social Care and the Treasury to urgently bring forward the investment needed to rebuild our local hospital and am so delighted by this outcome.

“Just two months ago, I contacted several thousand residents in and around Fakenham to ask for their views on upgrading our local hospital.

"The response was huge, showing how important this news will be for local people.”