EASTBOURNE’S MP has called on the government to accelerate plans for a new hospital for the town, warning that ageing infrastructure at the existing site is putting increasing pressure on staff and services.
Speaking during a recent parliamentary debate about the future of hospital provision, Josh Babarinde praised the dedication of staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital but said they were being let down by the condition of the buildings.
Mr Babarinde told ministers that while the hospital’s workforce continues to deliver outstanding care, the ageing infrastructure is making it harder to provide services efficiently and safely.
The local NHS trust, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT), has already acknowledged the challenges posed by the hospital estate. In its own assessment, the trust states that the ‘age and standard of the current hospital buildings present challenges for the consistent delivery of safe, effective, responsive and efficient care’.
Concerns about the hospital’s infrastructure were highlighted earlier this year when the site suffered a power outage lasting several hours in January.
Mr Babarinde said: “The incident was not an isolated problem but part of a wider pattern linked to years of underinvestment. The hospital currently faces a maintenance backlog estimated to be around £500 million.
Addressing the health minister and officials from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Eastbourne MP argued that the current timeline for a new hospital, which could see the town waiting up to 15 years, is too long.
He urged the government to take one of two actions to improve the situation.
Firstly, he called for the timeline for the proposed new hospital to be brought forward, saying the local NHS trust is ready to proceed but is awaiting approval and funding from central government.
Alternatively, if the timetable cannot be accelerated, he said ministers should immediately release £42 million to replace the hospital’s ageing power and electrical infrastructure.
Mr Babarinde said this investment would help ensure staff can continue delivering safe and effective care while longer-term plans for a new hospital are developed.
He concluded that he will continue pressing ministers to bring forward funding and investment, saying Eastbourne deserves modern healthcare facilities capable of meeting the town’s needs in the years ahead.
