Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Committee took evidence on the New Hospital Programme from DHSC and NHS England.
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England about the New Hospital Programme (NHP).1
Government Response Summary
The government provides an update on the New Hospital Programme, stating that four hospitals are open, 18 schemes are underway, and it is building capacity by recruiting staff and procuring a programme delivery partner. It is also examining options for progressing some schemes using existing approaches.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. expected on some schemes as work has focused on bringing rigour around cost control and planning. It has also been important for the Department of Health and Social Care (the department) to ensure that the implications of including five additional hospitals constructed from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the programme were fully understood. Overall, however, the NHP has made progress. Four hospitals are open to patients, one hospital has completed construction and is due to open to patients shortly, 3 are due to open later next financial year and 18 schemes are in construction or have early construction activity underway to prepare sites. The NHP recognises that it experienced some challenges in resourcing the Programme in its early stages, but it is now building capacity and capability rapidly through recruiting at pace and procuring a programme delivery partner. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), NHSE and the department regularly review the capability of the NHP. The government will write to the Committee in March on programme capacity, in line with recommendation 7. The NHP is currently examining the possibility of progressing a small number of schemes using existing approaches to both hospital design and methods of contracting, to deliver benefits to patients quickly and reduce backloading of the programme. Should this approach be progressed, schemes will be chosen based on criteria agreed with Ministers, and final decisions will be made alongside consideration of the NHP Programme Business Case by summer 2024.